Music to Heal’s efforts are centered on the premise that the musical experience (active learning, creating, sharing, or simply listening) can be used to improve the comprehensive health of patients in clinics.

The therapeutic efficacy of music is supported by scientific research.  A growing number of studies show the promise of various music interventions in alleviating pain and treating neurological and developmental disorders.  Music shows a positive influence on individuals suffering from dementia by addressing physical, emotional, cognitive, and social deficits characteristic of patients with diseases such as Alzheimer’s. [i]  Children and adolescents with behavioral and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have also been shown to benefit significantly from music therapy.[ii]  The psychological health benefits of music therapy are observed in various patient groups and ages, from pediatric oncology patients to pregnant mothers.  Music has also been demonstrated to empower patients against pain, depression and disability[iii].

The healing potential of music has lead to the establishment of schools with curriculums designed to train professionals and grant music therapist-board certified credential (MT-BC) degrees to those eligible to practice music therapy.   The American Music Therapy Association has also launched the Journal of Music Therapy to provide a database of scholarly publications which advance public awareness of the benefits of Music Therapy.[iv]  

Music to Heal aims to act upon these trends in scientific discovery by bringing instruments to hospitals in order to facilitate musical healing.

[i] Kerer M, Marksteiner (2009), Dementia and Music Review, Neuropsychiatry.
[ii] Wigram T. (2006).  Music Therapy in the Assessment and Treatment of Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Child Care Health Development.
[iii] Siedlicki, SL (2006).  Effects of Music on Power, Pain, Depression and Disability.  Journal of Advanced Nursing.
[iv] American Music Therapy Association website: www.musictherapy.org/faqs.html