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RSSMusic – It’s good for the body, mind, and soul
by Dawn McDougal Miller, MME, MT-BC, FAMI
Music can be a wonderful tool for people with cancer. Music touches our hearts and souls in many ways. A growing body of research supports the physiological benefits of music, which include boosting the immune system, reducing heart rate and blood pressure, and facilitating the relaxation response.
Music preferences and responses to
music are unique for each individual.
As a board-certified music therapist,
I provide music therapy for people receiving
treatment for cancer in order to
meet specific individualized goals, such
as reducing anxiety or pain, facilitating
relaxation, and providing emotional
support. I utilize a variety of instruments
to provide live music, including
piano, guitar, voice, accordion, clarinet,
percussion, Orff instruments, and Native
American flutes. I find that some
people light up when they hear certain
types of music, while that same music
may drive other people crazy.
I cannot “prescribe” one type of music and guarantee that it will be relaxing for everyone. Many factors influence a person’s physiological and emotional reactions to music. These include age, culture, music performance background, and memories, associations, and experiences connected with specific music.
To fully experience the healing properties of music, take time to listen to music in a relaxed state.
Dawn McDougal Miller
Music reminds us that we are
not alone.
Have you ever heard a
song that moves you so much, it stops
you in your tracks? Certain songs can
be especially powerful in the midst of
the stress of cancer treatment. Songs
can give you hope, or transport you to a
peaceful, centered place. A specific song
may speak to your heart or describe the
way you feel.
Music goes beyond words.
Meaningful
lyrics are not the only part of
music that can have an impact. People
relate to many different musical elements:
melody, rhythm, beat, tempo,
harmony, structure, orchestration, tone
of a performer’s voice, or the timbre
of the instruments. To fully experience
the healing properties of music, take
time to listen to music in a relaxed state
while quieting your thoughts and refraining
from analyzing the music.
Music can be a motivator and
energizer.
Songs with a steady beat
and a tempo of around 120 beats per
minute are called stimulative music.
Take a moment to think of a song that
makes you want to tap your toes or
begin to sway to the beat. Stimulative
music can help you feel more energized
when you are experiencing fatigue.
Many rock, big band, and popular
songs fit this description. Keep in mind
that individual music preferences are
extremely important when selecting stimulative
music. Some examples are “In
the Mood” (Glenn Miller), “Stars and
Stripes Forever” (John Philip Sousa),
“I Will Survive” (Donna Summer),
“I Won’t Back Down” (Tom Petty), and
“Old Time Rock and Roll” (Bob Seger).
Music can be used for relaxation.
In contrast to stimulative music, sedative
music helps you slow down and
relax. Sedative music has slower tempos
(50-70 beats per minute), very few
fluctuations in rhythm or volume levels,
and minimal dissonance. It is typically
composed of instrumental music without
words. If a vocal piece is used,
the impact of the lyrics is important.
Sedative music should have simple
orchestration, preferably a limited number
of instruments. Acoustic instruments
played in a soft, gentle way, such as
piano, harp, guitar, dulcimer, cello,
or Native American flutes, are often
preferred over electronic or synthesized
instruments.
Sedative music facilitates the “relaxation response,” helps you take deeper, fuller breaths, causes your heart rate to slow down, and decreases muscle tension. When selecting sedative music, use music to which you are receptive. Avoid pieces that may evoke strong emotions, associations, or memories. Individual music preferences and responses are important.
Try tuning into music to help you cope with cancer. Music can be a great way to decrease anxiety while you are waiting for test results or to provide hope when you need a lift. Listening to music in an intentional way has no adverse side effects, is easily accessible, doesn’t cost much money, and promotes wellness of the body, mind, and soul.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Dawn McDougal Miller is a board-certified music therapist and the music therapy internship director at Park Nicollet Health Services in Minneapolis, MN. During her 23 years as a music therapist, Dawn has created several new music therapy positions in hospitals and hospice programs throughout the Twin Cities.
For more information about music therapy, visit the American Music Therapy Association website at MusicTherapy.org.
This article was originally published in Coping® with Cancer magazine, May/June 2009.
