What is Music Therapy and why is it important?
Music Therapy is the use of musical interventions to accomplish individualised goals. It consists of using music therapeutically to address physical, psychological, cognitive, behavioral and/or social functioning. Music therapy is a powerful and non-threatening medium, which allows unique outcomes to be attained by the patient. With young children, music therapy can provide an experience which effect changes in a child’s behavior and facilitates the development of communication, social, emotional, sensory-motor, and cognitive skills.
Music therapy also enhances the quality of life by developing safe and strong relationships between the therapist and child; one child to another; the child and their family; and the child and their music. These relationships are developed and adapted using the music and as such positive and nurturing environment in created.
Researchers have found that music therapy, when used with anti-nausea drugs for patients receiving high-dose chemotherapy, can help ease nausea and vomiting. A number of clinical trials have shown the positive benefit of music therapy on short-term painrelief. Some studies have suggested that music can help decrease the overall intensity of the patient’s experience of pain when used with pain-relieving drugs. Music therapy can also result in a decreased need for pain medicine in some patients.
Other clinical trials have revealed a reduction in heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, insomnia, and depression with music therapy. Music can positively affect brain waves, brain circulation, neurotransmitters, and stress hormones. These effects are usually seen during and shortly after the music therapy. (Statistics sourced from cancer.org)
References:
Archie P, Bruera E, Cohen L. Music-based interventions in palliative cancer care: a review of quantitative studies and neurobiological literature. Support Care Cancer. 2013 Sep;21(9) 2609-2624.
Clark M, Isaacks-Downton G, Wells N, et al. Use of preferred music to reduce emotional distress and symptom activity during radiation therapy. J Music Ther.2006;43:247-265.
What is Art Therapy and why is it important?
Art therapy utilizes the creative process of art and it requires no particular level of expertise because anyone can be creative in some form or another. Art therapy can be especially beneficial to children, as they are often less capable and comfortable at expressing themselves verbally.
Proven academic studies have demonstrated that art therapy enhances the psychosocial treatment of cancer, including decreased symptoms of distress, improving quality of life and reducing the perception of pain (Monti et al, 2006; Nainis et al, 2002; Svensk et al 2009). Research on children with cancer has indicated that engaging in drawing and painting is an effective method for dealing with pain and other disturbing symptoms of illness (Rollins, 2005).
ANGSANAcare art facilitators use a variety of art methods including drawing, painting, sculpture, and collage. Patients who have experienced emotional trauma, anxiety, depression, and other psychological issues can benefit from expressing themselves via this creative medium. Extreme care and sensitivity is used during our therapy process as it is most often conducted by their bedside when the child is very ill.
"In an art therapy session, the focus is on your inner experience - your feelings, perceptions, and imagination. While art therapy may involve learning skills or art techniques, the emphasis is generally first on developing and expressing images that come from inside the person, rather than those he or she sees in the outside world. And while some traditional art classes may ask you to draw from your imagination, in art therapy, your inner world of images, feelings, thoughts, and ideas are always of primary importance to the experience." Cathy Maldiochi, The Art Therapy Sourcebook.
For more information on art therapy:
Elkis-Abuhoff, D. L., Goldblatt, R. B., Gaydos, M., & Convery, C. (2013). A pilot study to determine the psychological effects of manipulation of therapeutic art forms among patients with Parkinson’s disease. International Journal of Art Therapy: Inscape, 18(3), 113-121. (AB)
Favara-Scacco, D., Smirne, G., Schiliro, G., & Di Cataldo, A. (2001). Art therapy as support for children with leukemia during painful procedures. Medical Pediatric Oncology, 36 (4), 478-480. 