7+ Scientific Reasons Why Caregivers Should Play Their Patient’s Favorite Music
“Music As Medicine” is a compelling article in the American Psychological Association magazine, Monitor on Psychology, which highlights many scientific proofs that music is highly beneficial to patients.
Caregivers are in a position to help patients by playing music for them, as it is both an act of kindness as well as therapy in itself. As a caregiver, you do not need specialized skills like those of professional therapists, but you can make an effort by singing to your patients or playing recordings of their favorite songs. Either way, you give them a gift—the benefit of music on their overall wellbeing.
Check out some of the amazing ways music proved to be one of the best caregiver tools for impacting patients' lives:
1. Music helped premature babies survive.
When researchers played comforting music such as lullabies and soothing sounds that mimic those heard inside the womb, the babies became alert but quiet, their sucking behavior improved, and they slept better than those who did not listen to music.
In that same article, Joanne Loewy, the study's lead author and co-editor of the journal Music and Medicine says,
There's just something about music . . . that excites and activates the body. Music very much has a way of enhancing quality of life and can, in addition, promote recovery.
2. Music also boosts the body’s immunity.
Listening to music increases the production of antibody cells that kill invading microorganisms inside the body.
3. It promotes relaxation and reduces stress.
Music is also found to be more effective than prescription medication in reducing a patient’s anxiety before their scheduled surgery.
4. It helps ease pain and discomfort.
Studies show that patients who undergo painful procedures in the operating room reported less discomfort when they listened to music. Those who were in the recovery room needed less pain medications when music was played. When music is used as therapy, it decreases both short-term and long-term pain. Patients who listen to good music report improved mood and better pain control.
5. It aids in speech restoration.
A convincing example of this benefit is the story of Former U.S. Representative Gabby Giffords who was able to speak again with the help of music therapy after losing her ability to speak due to a gunshot wound to her head. Because it is known that music activates the brain so extensively, therapists asked her to first sing in her thoughts. In time, her mind found ways to make her body sing the melodies and, therefore, also produce speech. Amazing!
6. It is useful in physical therapy and rehabilitation.
It was found that, when music is played during a physical therapy session, patients tend to have improved functions physically, mentally, and emotionally.
7. Music improves the quality of life for people with dementia.
Studies have shown that, even as the disease progresses, the ability to react positively to music remains intact. Good music helps dementia patients reminisce and feel good about their remaining memories. It prevents agitation, helps communication, and even improves coordination.
As a final note, here’s a touching story of how music benefited a hospice client named Mr. Gregg. In 2017, Mr. Gregg was suffering from memory loss and agitation due to advanced illness. A hospice aide noticed that he responded positively every time she sang to him. So, they enlisted the help of a professional music therapist. The therapist provided a reassuring rhythm that improved Mr. Gregg's breathing pattern and made him feel both happy and at peace.
Medical professionals documented his response on film. The video shows him happily singing with his music therapist, smiling throughout the session. For Mr. Gregg’s wife, Jackie, seeing her husband happy in his last remaining days was priceless. His story reveals how music can give patients and their families the peace they seek at the end of life.
The above examples are just some of the many ways music helps patients both feel and get better, so caregivers are encouraged to hit “play” and let music fill the air!
