A novel music-based therapeutic approach: the Therapeutic Music Listening

The therapeutic use of music is frequently based on active interventions that directly involve the patient through a sonorous-music interaction with the music therapist. In contrast, approaches based on musical listening are characterized by a relationship aimed at promoting an introspective work and processing of one’s emotional experiences. Increasingly, the scientific literature has shown how even listening to music related to the patient’s personal tastes (preferred music listening) and by-passing the direct relationship with the patient, can produce therapeutic effects in different clinical settings. However, in many cases, a clear therapeutic rationale and specific application protocols are still lacking. The paper introduces a novel approach based on music listening: the Therapeutic Music Listening. This approach integrates the subjective component of listening (patient’s musical tastes) and structural and parametric characteristics of the music in relation to the therapeutic aims. The article defines theoretical-applicative bases as well as therapeutic and research perspectives of this music listening-based intervention

why music in neurology

n/

What happens if algorithmic music meets medicine

Raglio, A., Castelli, M., Manzoni, L., & Vigo, F. (2021). Cosa succede se la musica algoritmica incontra la medicina [What happens if algorithmic music meets medicine]. Giornale Italiano di Medicina del Lavoro ed Ergonomia, 43(4), 379-381.Since ancient times there has been recognition of music’s therapeutic powers, inherent in the properties of sound and its effects on human beings at a psychophysical level. Literature showed the development of therapeutic applications of music in numerous clinical settings. Music-listening itself can qualify as an effective therapeutic means within clinical contexts. Numerous studies document the potentialities of this practice. Whilst, it appears to be difficult to study the phenomenon of music from a scientific point of view, it may be possible to attempt moving music closer to science. Algorithms are of help in this process. Only recently has algorithmic music been used within the context of composing music with therapeutic aims helping to create songs for precise therapeutic aims: music characteristics can be altered and re-modelled and, above all, simplified. It was exactly this intent that recently brought into being an algorithm, Melomics-Health, which composes music with a “therapeutic” logic. Melomics-Health allows us to study the effect of specific musical parameters and structures on individuals (including neuro-scientific aspects) with the possibility to correlate effectiveness and efficiency to those precise musical aspects and to re-model the latter based on these findings. The use of algorithms applied to music as therapy constitutes a new starting point, an attempt to bring art and science closer together, to increase awareness and effectiveness in the use of music in therapeutic contexts; a new perspective integrating art, science and technology in the service of medicine, in clinical work and research.publishersversionpublishe

Hand rehabilitation with sonification techniques in the subacute stage of stroke

After a stroke event, most survivors suffer from arm paresis, poor motor control and other disabilities that make activities of daily living difficult, severely affecting quality of life and personal independence. This randomized controlled trial aimed at evaluating the efficacy of a music-based sonification approach on upper limbs motor functions, quality of life and pain perceived during rehabilitation. The study involved 65 subacute stroke individuals during inpatient rehabilitation allocated into 2 groups which underwent usual care dayweek) respectively of standard upper extremity motor rehabilitation or upper extremity treatment with sonification techniques. The Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity Scale, Box and Block Test and the Modified Ashworth Scale were used to perform motor assessment and the McGill Quality of Life-it and the Numerical Pain Rating Scale to assess quality of life and pain. The assessment was performed at baseline, after 2weeks, at the end of treatment and at follow-up (1month after the end of treatment). Total scores of the Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity Scale (primary outcome measure) and hand and wrist sub scores, manual dexterity scores of the affected and unaffected limb in the Box and Block Test, pain scores of the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (secondary outcomes measures) significantly improved in the sonification group compared to the standard of care group (time*group interaction<0.05). Our findings suggest that music-based sonification sessions can be considered an effective standardized intervention for the upper limb in subacute stroke rehabilitation

Music Interventions for Dementia and Depression in ELderly care (MIDDEL): protocol and statistical analysis plan for a multinational cluster-randomised trial

Introduction: In older adults, dementia and depression are associated with individual distress and high societal costs. Music interventions such as group music therapy (GMT) and recreational choir singing (RCS) have shown promising effects, but their comparative effectiveness across clinical subgroups is unknown. This trial aims to determine effectiveness of GMT, RCS and their combination for care home residents and to examine heterogeneity of treatment effects across subgroups. Methods and analysis: This large, pragmatic, multinational cluster-randomised controlled trial with a 2×2 factorial design will compare the effects of GMT, RCS, both or neither, for care home residents aged 65 years or older with dementia and depressive symptoms. We will randomise 100 care home units with ≥1000 residents in total across eight countries. Each intervention will be offered for 6 months (3 months 2 times/week followed by 3 months 1 time/week), with extension allowed if locally available. The primary outcome will be the change in the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale score at 6 months. Secondary outcomes will include depressive symptoms, cognitive functioning, neuropsychiatric symptoms, psychotropic drug use, caregiver burden, quality of life, mortality and costs over at least 12 months. The study has 90% power to detect main effects and is also powered to determine interaction effects with gender, severity and socioeconomic status. Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval has been obtained for one country and will be obtained for all countries. Results will be presented at national and international conferences and published in scientific journals

La musicoterapia nelle demenze e in altri ambiti neurologici: dalle premesse scientifiche alla "Evidence Based Music Therapy"

Music therapy can be considered one of the most significant non-pharmacological interventions in the neurological diseases. In the first part the dissertation delves into specific contents of music therapy and focuses on scientific bases of the discipline describing its clinical practices. Both active and receptive approaches with music are described distinguishing their contents, aims and different practices. In the second part the dissertation includes the research projects carried out during the Doctoral Program and a summary of the published scientific articles. Research activity was made mainly in the field of dementia and concerned in particular the efficacy of active music therapy approach on Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms in Dementia. Other reported studies concerned research projects on the stroke (in particular on the language impairment deriving from the disease), disorders of consciousness, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. The last study presented in the dissertation refers to the use of fMRI in the field of music therapy. This neuroscientific approach can be considered an important possibilty to assess the effects of music therapy and to explain its underlined therapeutic mechanisms. The studies shared a rigorous scientific methodology (much of those were randomized controlled trials) and reflected the possibility to apply the evidence-based approach also in the field of music therapy (Evidence Based Music Therapy). The dissertation presents a course of research that, starting from scientific bases of music therapy and going through the clinical practice, has developed a strong methodological approach to prove possible therapeutic/rehabilitative effects of music in the field of neurology

When music becomes music therapy

Scientific literature provides evidence of the unquestionable effects of music both in pathological contexts and upon individuals generally speaking. Also on the physiological, neurophysiological, biological and neurochemical levels, confirmation of such effects has been forthcoming. The above thoughts can help re-model music-therapeutic practices by introducing the following aspects (Evidence Based Music Therapy and Evidence Based Practice): musical and relational training of music therapists, presence of a therapeutic setting, a theoretical/methodological background, aims oriented to the achievement of stable and long- lasting improvements (according to type and gravity of pathologies considered), content (active and/or receptive techniques) facilitating intra- and inter-personal relationships with the patient/client and rigorous assessment criteria. This is what defines the therapeutic specificity of music and contextualizes the various possible interventions through music. Music can be the source of deep pleasure, it can stimulate relationships and attentive and cognitive functions, but it becomes therapeutic practice only in the presence of the essential components mentioned above

Musicoterapia e Medicina del Lavoro

L’ascolto musicale e la musicoterapia attiva possono avere un effetto sia sulle componenti psicologiche ed emotive dei lavoratori, ma anche su quelle più chiaramente legate alle prestazioni lavorative, come ad esempio l’attenzione. Molte sono le categorie professionali che possono essere interessate a questo tipo di supporto, in particolare quelle dei lavoratori sottoposti a particolari condizioni di stress. La musicoterapia quindi si pone sempre più come uno strumento utile e flessibile a disposizione del medico, del medico del lavoro e dei professionisti della riabilitazione, utilizzabile in differenti contesti patologici e non ma anche in ambito lavorativo