THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS
THROUGH MUSIC
ENHANCING COGNITIVE RESERVE, EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS OF THE BRAIN
Music and its relation in dynamics are closely associated with
the human brain. We are born with pro-exposure of music in
the form of rhythmic perception while we are in our mother's
womb. This early association is connected with the sense of
rhythm in the form of time signature evaluation even before
learning any form of percussive instruments. A common
example is speed, distance, intensity and time. We have a
built-in mechanism to quantize even before we learn music.
Music is associated with the pleasure centres of the brain
called the dopaminergic receptor region located in the
Substantia nigra of the brain. It is a very unique feedback
system connected to the brain at the auditory cortex
level on both sides of the brain located just adjacent to
the ears. At a deeper level, it is connected to the limbic
system of the brain which is near the forehead which
finally leads to the inner regions of the brain such as
the amygdala which is for fight or flight response or
simpler terms the impulse zone of the brain. This complex
feedback system has its functionality associated with the
reward-based response where a pleasant tone is reward
generator and dissonance is a turn-off or harsh stimulus.
which account for higher executive functions. When all
these cognitive functions are put together, it forms a vital
performance feature of the brain called “The Cognitive
Reserve” which determines the neuroplasticity of the
brain through repetition for engagement and learning.
One of the most effective therapies according to recent studies
is music therapy which is non-pharmacological or invasive in
nature. Music therapy has significantly changed prophylactic
intervention with respect to complex mental health
conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Dementia,
Cerebral palsy, Depression, ADHD and many more.
Music therapy is analogous, and isomorphic in nature with
its protocols. It has evolved to generate efficacious results
in the clinical sector. Many hospitals are apparently using
music therapy and also engaging music therapist for cases
such as traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, Alzheimer’s
and more. Although some the pathways associated are
still being researched, it is important to understand that
music therapy and sound therapy have critical solutions
to chronic mental health and neurological conditions.
References
THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS THROUGH MUSIC
Music in therapeutic approach has the ability to stimulate
the hippocampus in bringing back stored memory indices
in conditions such as Alzheimer's and dementia. Hence the
perception of music and its dynamics are deeply associated
with cognitive functions such as memory, attention,
recall feedback systems, judgement, decision-making
abilities, spatial orientation and processing dynamics
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5618810/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/
PMC6022981/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
pmc/articles/PMC4074275/#R9 https://www.ncbi.
nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3814522/
Author: Prof B.Sai Kiran Kumar Consultant neurofeedback trainer BCIA
USA, B.Shivani , Psychologist and certified Neurofeedback trainer
A child with Cerebral Palsy being brain mapped A Boy with Vision difficulties being brain mapped An adult with suspected Dementia being brain mapped
Brain activity during thinking and processing information Brain activity live visualization Brain wave activity
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