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How Music Thanatology Can Boost Clinical Healing

Music has long been considered emotionally moving, inspiring, and even transformative. But how about the physical effects of music in a clinical setting—often called prescriptive music? According to NPR, “Many hospitals employ thanatologists, someone who plays music, usually a harp, for people who are dying."  

Cambridge University reports that “music-thanatology is a palliative modality that uses harp and voice to provide bedside vigils, particularly for terminally ill or actively dying. We sought to determine the benefits of music vigils for terminally ill patients... Family members perceived that the vigils resulted in modest improvement in the patients' breathing, relaxation, comfort, and ability to sleep, with fewer positive effects on pain, and almost no negative effects. Open ended comments focused on the positive benefit in increasing calm, relaxation, comfort. Comments on the positive effects for the family were almost as common as comments on the positive results for the patient.

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. 2011 Sep;32(3):231-43.

 doi: 10.1007/s10912-011-9140-x.

How music-inspired weeping can help terminally ill patients

Kay Norton 1

Affiliations 

• PMID: 21626088
 
• DOI: 10.1007/s10912-011-9140-x

Abstract

Music's power to improve the 'human condition' has been acknowledged since ancient times. Something as counter-intuitive as weeping in response to music can ameliorate suffering for a time even for terminally ill patients. Several benefits-including catharsis, communication, and experiencing vitality-can be associated with grieving in response to "sad" music. In addressing the potential rewards of such an activity for terminally ill patients, this author combines concepts from philosopher Jerrold R. Levinson's article, entitled "Music and Negative Emotion," an illustration from a major motion picture, and supporting research from medical reports and aesthetic writings. Carefully offering this experience is recommended for patients who retain the capacity to express preference

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intense grf- beethoven eroica

sobbing melancholy-brahms 3rd symphony

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