The recent studies have shown the importance of music to control stress, blood pressure, anxiety, reduce sleep disorders and to bring calmness.
The humdrums, cut throat competitions, breaking of joint families, strive for more and restless attitudes have had tremendous Impact on health of youth. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) heart disease has emerged as leading cause of death. Annually 17.3 million people worldwide die of heart disease. By the year 2030, the WHO has envisaged that over 25 million people will succumb to death due to heart disease.
An individual diagnosed as a heart patient usually suffers from stress, passes through a phase of anxiety, has concern over hospitalisation, ICU stay and outcome of surgery. The prolonged anxiety causes increase in heart rate, affects breathing pattern, variations in blood pressure & it also alter his/her behaviour. The non-pharmacologic intervention, music therapy is developing as a soothing model to address anxiety among cardiac patients.
The music therapy interventions could be in the form of;
- Listening to a music/song as per the patients likening.
- Performing on an instrument which eases tension
- Attending music concerts or composing music or make the patient to sing their favourite numbers.
The light soothing music particularly devotional songs, prayers, old Hindi/local language songs make patients to refocus their attention, to divert the minds from sickness and reduces stress levels. Listening regularly to music will offer peace, tranquillity and increases comfort level have claimed various studies.
In case music therapy is provided by professional therapist, it brings better results and makes the individual to accept cardiac surgical interventions as there are better interactive sessions between therapist and patient. Music Therapist triggers the brain to release endorphins; these neurotransmitters play an important role in enhancing a sense of well‐being. A holistic approach by allopathic specialists on impact of music therapy on cardiac patient groups may be considered to establish the validity of the music on ‘Heart Health’.
Dr. Pramod N Sulikeri, Ph.D
Transplant Coordinator
KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital & MRC
Belagavi.
