So you just read the headline and clicked on this blog post, all the while you may be thinking to yourself, “Oh come on, how can a service that I have to pay for out of my already stretched thin budget really save my facility money?”
First of all let me say that YES, You will have to pay for music therapy services, BUT keep on reading and I will elaborate on how it will save you money.
Evidence-Based Research with Proven Results –Music therapy is a scientifically based practice. Music therapist’s set goals for each individual or group and we document progress toward those goals. We conduct research and publish the results in our professional journals and those of related disciplines.So if you are the director of a nursing home or rehabilitation facility, these are outcomes that are experienced by a large majority of clients – even those individuals that don’t respond well to other types of interventions.
¯¯ Reduces anxiety and stress – Music therapists address these goals in the group setting by using calming music and teaching clients breathing and imagery techniques that they can use outside of the music therapy session.Dancing encourages physical movement and releases endorphins while at the same time reducing cortisol levels and is a positive wellness technique.
¯¯ Improves mood and emotional states – Patients are encouraged to express their emotions through music in the group or individual session. We use techniques such as lyric analysis, group songwriting and improvisation to help the client identify their feeling and the reasons behind them and then provide opportunities to express those feelings through the music.
¯¯ Increases patient participation in treatment– Music is fun and motivating but many individuals may feel self-conscious about participating. Music therapists have specific training to help patients to feel comfortable and to participate at whatever level they are able. By explaining to patients what we are doing and why it is important, we enable the patient to then have some ownership over their treatment program, which carries over to other treatment modalities.
¯¯ Reduces need for pain medication –The American Psychological Association published a summary of research about music therapy and stated that the researchers found that patients that engaged in music therapy had increased levels of the antibody Immunoglobulin A, which is known to kill cancer cells. They also found reduced levels of cortisol, the stress hormone and increased endorphin levels. Other studies cited that music therapy helped regulate breathing and heart rate for patients from infants in the NICU to adults and elderly in intensive care, cancer treatments and rehabilitation. Patients reported less pain and also had reduced need for pain medication. Read the full article here .
¯Reduces length of Stay-The National Institute of Health (NIH) published a study in 2011 that determined that patients who participated in music therapy had less depression and shorter
lengths of stay than patients that did not receive this service. Read that article here. In addition, a review of music therapy in the Southern Medical Journal was published in 2012 which stated that Patients in intensive care were less anxious before surgical procedures and recovered more quickly and satisfactorily after surgery. They also required less sedation and reported better satisfaction with their hospitalization click here to read that article.
¯Music Therapy as a Marketing Tool-Music therapy has been receiving a lot of media attention and patients are more aware of the benefits of music therapy as they are shopping for services. In 2002 Demmer and Sauer published documentation that supported the fact that patients had higher satisfaction levels for facilities that offered music therapy services. Read an excerpt of “Survey of Nurses’ Attitudes and Perceptions Toward Music Therapy in the Hospital Setting” By Miriam G. Hillmer, 2003
Email Debi@mindfullmusic.com