Areas of Application > Clinical Area

In this area, Music Therapy is applied as a medium of intervention and stimulation both for children and for adults. In learning skills, Music Therapy can help improve attention span, and help the patient to organise and remember information.

Music offers a medium for non-verbal expression which encourages communication when social interaction has become affected by emotional or linguistic problems. The use of rhythm and musical instruments can improve muscular coordination and help develop fine and gross motor skills.

Where is Music Therapy offered?

> Schools.
> Special Education Centres.
> Early Intervention Centres.
> Youth Care Centres.
> Adult Learning Centres.

Who can benefit from Music Therapy?

> People with Developmental Delays
> People with Physical Disability.
> People with Autism and associated disorders.
> People with Learning Difficulties.
> People with Poor Attention Span / hyperactivity.
> People with Behavioural Difficulties.

As a non-invasive and non-pharmaceutical treatment, Music Therapy offers a wide range of techniques complementary to general medicine on both a physical and psychological level.

Different musical elements such as rhythm, melody and harmony are used to stimulate and guide physical movement in rehabilitation. Playing musical instruments can also serve as exercise in which the movement itself is highly controlled. Where pain is present, music can act as an audio-analgesic and anxiety-reducing agent. When suitably applied, it can reinforce the effects of relaxation, reduce pain perception and mask disagreeable or negative influences, offering an agreeable and positive environment.

On a psychological level, music can become an element of normality in the environment, helping to channel emotions and offering a medium of expression for people who are suffering from anxiety, depression, loneliness, distorted self-confidence, low self-esteem, etc., and other problems arising as a consequence of medical illness.

Where is Music Therapy offered?

> General Hospitals: Maternal areas, Paediatric units, Oncology, Traumatology, Cardiology, Hemodialisis, Surgery and Intensive Care Units (ICU).
> Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Centres.
> Pain Clinics and Units.

Using a psycho-therapeutic and a recreational focus, Music Therapy is effective in helping relieve the high levels of stress and anxiety which are so often present in problems of mental health, and the deterioration of social skills and interpersonal relationships common to severe mental disorders. It has also proved useful for working at an emotional level as it provides a medium for the exploration and expression of emotions.

Where is Music Therapy offered?

> Psychiatric Hospitals.
> Social Integration Day Centres.
> Alcohol and Drug Abuse Centres.
> Eating Disorder Centres.
> Detention centres and prisons.