Music is probably the oldest cultural achievement of Homo sapiens. Not later than 35,000 years ago, humans began to manufacture instruments – the oldest flute that has been found has this age. Already in ancient Greece music was part of the medical repertoire – there were sound hospitals where the mind was retuned with appropriate tools. Also the Chinese, Persians and Egyptians used music to promote healing processes.
Music is linked to the production of hormones that control human emotions and behavior. Numerous studies indicate that musical stimulation affects various biochemical substances.
Basically, through music therapy positive behaviors should be promoted, undesirable behaviors should be changed, and activation and relaxation should be encouraged.
We distinguish 2 types of music therapy:
Active music therapy is an umbrella term for all types of music therapy, where the patient is involved with his voice or an instrument. This begins with making music together with the therapist – the focus is on the process of active play, which can move along a continuum between completely free to highly structured. The patient is actively involved in the musical therapies. The active form of music therapy can be carried out both in individual and group sessions.
Active music therapy requires the presence of a trained therapist, who interacts either actively musically with the patient or plays an instrument or recorded music. Due to the small number of therapists active music therapy application is often restricted.
Receptive music therapy is the oldest form of music therapy, which is used specifically since antiquity. In contrast to the active form of music therapy, receptive music therapy doesn’t involve active music making. Music is perceived passively, without taking influence.
This sound experience triggers physical reactions, the dynamics of the music influences bodily processes. Because compared to the heart that beats to the rhythm, or breathing that follows an inner movement, also music is divided periodically in time and rhythm. One does not only involuntarily rock with his feet, the pulse adapts to faster or slower music – the heartbeat adapts to the played music.
When we perceive music, it also activates other areas, as the authorities responsible for processing auditory signals of our brain. Besides at the mere listening, many of those areas, which are active in singing or active music-making, are in use, thus dealing with movement and motor skills. By listening to the music psycho-emotional and physical processes are set in motion in order to lead to the alleviation of diseases or ailments.