HEALING POWER OF MUSIC

With the potential to fight infections, soothe pain and ease autism, a sweet melody can be strong medicine

Music, researchers around the world are discovering, can help healing in a variety of ways. Burn victims encouraged to sing while having their dressing changed experience less pain. Cancer patients who listen to music and practise improvising on instruments, for example, see their levels of stress hormones drop and their immune system get stronger.

Part of music’s power comes from its ability to relieve anxiety, which can suppress immune defences as well as intensify the experience of pain. Music, especially singing, takes a person’s mind off the suffering and soothes tension. “By helping patients relax, music eases pain and may even speed recovery ,” says Richard Fratianne, a noted professor of surgery.

The therapeutic use of music seems to activate different parts of the brain, including networks associated with motor control, speech, memory, emotion and speech, explains neuroscientist and musician . It’s a close link between music and movement to help people slowed by strokes, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and Parkinson’s disease.