Music Therapy in Hospice

Introduction

Music therapy has gained commendable recognition over the years as an effective complementary approach for hospice care, with remarkable benefits to patients in palliative care. According to the American Music Therapy Association, in the US, roughly about 62. 2 homes and hospitals are reported to have integrated this form of therapy into their practices (American Music Therapy Association, 202). This literature review explores the historical background, theoretical aspects, and clinical significance of utilizing music therapy in hospice care settings, revealing its ability to improve quality of life and address psychosocial needs. This paper aims to substantiate the use of music therapy as an integral part of holistic palliative care.

Historical and Contextual Development

The use of music therapy has a long history, and various historical documents have shown that it was used in medical practice in ancient civilizations. The oldest known record of music therapeutically used is from as early as 1879, in which mental and physical disorders were treated through music (Victor, 2013). However, music therapy became a formalized professional area in 1914 with acceptance of the therapeutic value of this approach to healthcare settings. In those days, the physicians applied this therapy during surgery and claimed it was successful. According to the American Music Therapy Association, music therapy is utilized in more than forty countries worldwide.

In hospice care, music therapy is one aspect that has received much attention over recent years and can be used in private homes, hospitals, and long-term care facilities. The American Music Therapy Association identifies music therapy as a specific discipline that meets people’s physical, emotional, and spiritual needs at the end of life (American Music Therapy Association, 2021). Music therapy within hospice premises involves applying music-driven interventions including singing, playing musical instrument, and listening to songs for pain relief management, emotional support, family connections and existential exploration.

In the field of music therapy in hospice, there is an area focusing on bedside music therapy interventions for critically ill patients. Fallek et al. (2020) performed a feasibility study on the effectiveness of music therapy at bedside in an urban hospital environment. The outcomes of the study indicated that patients were primarily indifferent towards intervention, and it had favorable effects in terms of decreasing anxiety and improving mood. This research helps to reveal that music therapy has the potential to benefit patients in hospice settings and provides evidence for the employment of musical interventions to improve quality lifestyles among those suffering.

Relevance to Critical Clinical Social Work Practice

Music treatment in hospice care is profoundly significant to critical clinical social work practice. Social workers are an essential part of the interdisciplinary team that essentially takes up the role of providing psychosocial support to individuals and their families, while they receive end-of-life care. Music therapy may be an effective tool for dealing with the emotional, spiritual, and psychological needs of patients and their family members (American Music Therapy Association, 2021). Peng et al. (2019) conducted a study focused on the role of music intervention in enhancing positive patient experience when treating palliative care patients. It was observed that music therapy enhanced relaxation and comfort levels and reduced distress among patients (Peng et al., 2019). The emotional needs that come with such a process are always addressed by social workers as they are one of the elements that form part of their practice to provide holistic support. Therefore, using music therapy in the development of their interventions can be one viable way that is efficient in dealing with the emotional health needs of patients in hospice care.

Additionally, music therapy has been shown to promote the quality of life among hospice care patients. Li et al. (2020) conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the benefits of music therapy for cancer patients. The research revealed that music therapy interventions were linked to decreased pain levels, anxiety, and depression and also improved emotional status in individuals. (Li et al., 2020).These results underscore the importance of introducing music therapy as a component of social work for patients in hospice care because it can contribute to improvements in their wellness and quality of life. Additionally, music therapy interventions encourage social attachment that creates opportunities for meaningful communication among patients, families, and interdisciplinary care teams in the hospice environment.

Theoretical Tenets

Numerous theoretical frameworks and therapeutic interventions underlie music therapy in the hospice care setting. A systems theory is an example that appreciates the linkages between people and their environment. Tuomi et al. (2021) talk about individual and family music therapy, pointing out the necessity to understand a system of families by which it operates by using music as an instrument of communication, healing, and expression inside a family group (Tuomi et al., 2021). Application of this theoretical perspective can help social workers to use music therapy interventions in hospice care for emotional stability not only among patients themselves but also among their family members.

Another theoretical approach that guides music therapy in the hospice environment is person-centered theory. Potvin, Hicks and Kronk (2021) describe the methodology of music therapy treatment procedure as well associated field in integrative hospice palliative care. They underscore the person-centered approach as a guiding ideal highlighting individual needs, preferences and goals (Potvin et al., 2021). This technique highlights the need for individualized music treatment intercessions to address a patients special physical, emotional and spiritual needs in hospice care. Overall, these theoretical perspectives provided the basis for interpreting the therapeutic benefits and intervention of music therapy in a hospice. By adopting these theoretical tenets, social workers can implement their practice while using music therapy as one of the interventions that incorporates holistic and person-centered and also acknowledges patient specific needs.

Conclusion

Summarily, recent studies and evidence prove that the practice of music therapy in hospice care is effective. The historical and contextual progression of music therapy in health care settings including hospice suggests it as a pervasive tool for healing. With regard to the critical clinical social work practice, music therapy is considered highly relevant in addressing emotional, spiritual, and psychological needs of patients under hospice care. Theories such as systems theory and the person-centered approach are theoretical perspectives that offer a rationale for applying interventions in music therapy to address specific needs of individuals and their families within hospice environments. Overall, the research and evidence approve and support the utilization of music therapy in hospice care, because it has been shown to have positive impacts on emotional well-being, pain management, and overall quality of life for patients and their families. Social workers can incorporate music therapy into their practice to make hospice care holistic and person-centered, thus helping individuals experience greater wellbeing during one of the most vulnerable times in life.

References

American Music Therapy Association. (2021). Music Therapy in Hospice Care. https://www.musictherapy.org/assets/1/7/FactSheet_Music_Therapy_in_Hospice_Care_2021.pdf

Fallek, R., Corey, K., Qamar, A., Vernisie, S. N., Hoberman, A., Selwyn, P. A., … & Lounsbury, D. W. (2020). Soothing the heart with music: A feasibility study of a bedside music therapy intervention for critically ill patients in an urban hospital setting. Palliative & Supportive Care, 18(1), 47-54.

Li, Y., Xing, X., Shi, X., Yan, P., Chen, Y., Li, M., … & Yang, K. (2020). The effectiveness of music therapy for patients with cancer: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Journal of advanced nursing, 76(5), 1111-1123. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.14313

Peng, C. S., Baxter, K., & Lally, K. M. (2019). Music intervention as a tool in improving patient experience in palliative care. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine®, 36(1), 45-49. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049909118788643

Potvin, N., Hicks, M., & Kronk, R. (2021). Music therapy and nursing cotreatment in integrative hospice and palliative care. Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, 23(4), 309. https://doi.org/10.1097%2FNJH.0000000000000747

Tuomi, K., Thompson, G., Gottfried, T., & Ala-Ruona, E. (2021). Theoretical perspectives and therapeutic approaches in music therapy with families. Voices, 21(2). https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v21i2.2952

Victor, d. (2023). History Of Music In Healthcare. https://www.harmonyandhealing.org/history-of-music-in-healthcare/#:~:text=In%20fact%2C%20the%20earliest%20known,in%20both%20children%20and%20adults.