Innovation in Health Treatment: Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Vocal Music and Classical Piano

Abstract

Vocal music and especially classical piano as music therapy has been used in various cultural settings for its curative value and has become an official branch of the healing arts for producing favorable health effects. The objective of this systematic review is to provide an analysis of the therapeutic effects of vocal music and classical piano in a number of health-related disorders based on the data obtained from nine studies. The types of study that the research examined include Mental health, neurological rehabilitation, oncological treatment and Intensive care unit (ICU).
It has been found that singing specifically and melodic intonation therapy in particular have an impact on the mental state of a person, leading to a decrease in the intensity of such conditions as depression and anxiety, an increase in the quality of sleep, and changes for the better in the sphere of social interactions. Research shows that singing activates different areas of the brain that are concerned with language, emotional and motor task hence helpful in speech and cognitive rehabilitation.
Mozart compositions specifically piano music has been attributed to changes in cognition and mood. The Mozart Effect is defined as short-term improvement in the abilities of spatial-temporal reasoning. Classical piano music has been described to help in the reduction of pain, anxiety and the creation of calmness and comfort, especially in ICU and cancer care units.

The review also identified very important effects of music therapy for neurological rehabilitation patients regarding motor functions, cognitive recovery, mood, and overall quality of life. Regarding the impact of music therapy in the field of cancer, there was an enhancement of mood, decrease in anxiety, and enhanced ways of dealing with the disease. A study that took place in ICU found that classical piano music helped to decrease patients’ anxiety, pain and stress while also helping families to feel more supported.

This extensive literature review emphasizes the curative function of vocal music and classical piano and calls for their inclusion in the standard approaches to recovery, regardless of the patients’ diseases. For these reasons, further studies should be conducted on a large sample and for a longer period to confirm these outcomes and analyze the possible mechanisms of music therapy.