How Music Heals Us, Even When It’s Sad. By a Neuroscientist Leading a New Study of Musical Therapy
This article is a fascinating review of the history of music therapy and the ongoing developments into better understanding and utilizing music therapy to assist with many aspects of physical, mental and emotional health along with traditional therapies.
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Study protocol for the Alzheimer and music therapy study: An RCT to compare the efficacy of music therapy and physical activity on brain plasticity, depressive symptoms, and cognitive decline, in a population with and at risk for Alzheimer’s disease
There is anecdotal evidence for beneficial effects of music therapy in patients with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). However, there is a lack of rigorous research investigating this issue. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of music therapy and physical activity on brain plasticity, mood, and cognition in a population with AD and at risk for AD.
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Meditation and Music Improve Memory and Cognitive Function in Adults with Subjective Cognitive Decline: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
This study is very similar to the above except it focuses on the impact of meditation and music listening on those experiencing significant cognitive decline as an indicator for alzheimers.
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A Population-Level Analysis of Associations Between School Music Participation and Academic Achievement
The study is a population level analysis (n = 112,916) examining relationships between music education and mathematics, science and Engligh achievement in highschool. It also controlled for factors such as language/cultural background and socioeconomic status. School music achievement positively related to scores on all subjects; such relationships were stronger for achievement in instrumental music compared with vocal music.
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Connecting Veterans Through the Power of Percussion
An article from the US Department of Veteran Affairs, this focuses on the use of drum circles to releive symptoms of PTSD among veterans. Resilient Rhythms is the name of the program and it is used by VA therapists to help Veterans deal with trauma, socialize with other Veterans, and express themselves more freely. The instructors’ goal, they said.
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A Randomized Control Trial of Meditation Compared to Music Listening to Improve Cognitive Function for Breast Cancer Survivors: Feasibility and Acceptability
This study focuses on attempting to identify affordable treatments to combat brain fog and cognitive decline connected to breast cancer treatment. It reviews the impacts of meditation and listening to music. Overall all members of the study reported improved mood and cognitive abilities. AUTHOR SUMMARY: Ashley M. Henneghan a b, Heather Becker a, Michelle L.
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Effects of Singing Bowl Sound Meditation on Mood, Tension, and Well-being: An Observational Study
This study examined the effects of sound meditation, specifically Tibetan singing bowl meditation, on mood, anxiety, pain, and spiritual well-being. Sixty-two women and men (mean age 49.7 years) participated.
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Psychedelics and music: neuroscience and therapeutic implications
From the beginning of therapeutic research with psychedelics, music listening has been consistently used as a method to guide or support therapeutic experiences during the acute effects of psychedelic drugs.
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Moving in time: simulating how neural circuits enable rhythmic enactment of planned sequences
Many complex actions are mentally pre-composed as plans that specify orderings of simpler actions. To be executed accurately, planned orderings must become active in working memory, and then enacted one-by-one until the sequence is complete. Examples include writing, typing, and speaking. In cases where the planned complex action is musical in nature (e.g.
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