ENHANCING EFFECTS OF MUSIC
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In the last decade or so, many cultures have recognized music as a powerful therapeutic tool which is beneficial to children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly with mental health needs, developmental and learning disabilities, Alzheimer's disease and other aging-related conditions, substance abuse problems, brain injuries, physical disabilities, and acute and chronic pain, including mothers in labor.
Healthy individuals use music for relaxation and stress reduction either through active participation playing instruments or singing or through passive listening. The kind of music that would relax a person depends entirely on the type of music one prefers for example, carnatic music, rock, pop, jazz, or western classical. People might believe that rock or pop music could never have healing qualities, but once again a person who finds rock or pop music enjoyable is most likely to find it therapeutic.
In the Western countries especially, most surgeons prefer music played during surgery as it helps to relax the atmosphere thereby enhancing their quality of work. It also helps to relax the anesthetized patient. Music therapy assisted labor and delivery is also becoming very popular. Many studies have shown that fetus respond very well to music. Babies are soothed by the particular kind of music they have been exposed to during their entire period inside the womb. The enhancing effects of music on the brains of such babies are now being studied...