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By Miki Kumada
Music Therapy Relaxes Tension, Helps Cure Many Medical Ills
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注目されるミュージックセラピー
今や、ストレス解消法といえば、マッサージや指圧はもちろんのこと、香りで気持ちをリラックスさせるアロマテラピーなどがある。その中でも心理的効果をうたった音楽を聴く「ミュージックセラピー」は自宅や通勤途中で手軽にでき、お金のかからない方法のひとつだ。ダイエット効果をうたったものから、試験合格、ゴルフ上達まで目的別CDが売れている。さて、ほんとうに効果はあるのか…。
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If you are searching for relaxation amid the crunch of city life, there are
many ways available today ― massage, shiatsu (finger-pressure therapy),
aromatherapy, communing with nature, soothing in a whirlpool bath
etc. But there is one way to relax from daily stress without spending much
money, which is perhaps the easiest way of all. That is "music therapy."
Yamano Music, a major record store in Tokyo's Ginza district, has a full
lineup of so-called "relaxation music." About 3,000 titles are available.
The store's recommendations include melodious instrumental music,
ethnic music, natural sounds from the bottom of the sea, and the cries of
dolphins and whales. There are some trendy CDs designed to induce alpha
waves in listeners and also instrumental music recorded with subliminal
effects or messages.
Miki Nakajima, a sales person at Yamano's relaxation music counter on the
third floor, said, "Such instrumental CDs have constant sales. From young
workers in their 20s to the elderly in their 70s, many people regardless of
age or sex visit our counter." Nearly 100 CDs are sold per day, especially on
weekends, Nakajima said.
When looking around the shelves of relaxation music, people can find lots of
unique titles. Special CDs offer help for dieting, better sleep, more good luck,
better relationships with colleagues, curing constipation, easing stiff
shoulders, improving golf scores, having a successful marriage, and on and
on.
One woman in her late 20s, who was having a try at listening to the music
therapy selections, said, "I'm curious about this kind of CD, but I don't expect
any quick and drastic effect. I do think it is a good way to relax after my
job, though, and it's cheaper than getting a massage."
But how effective is this kind of music in easing stress? Do physicians
have clinical proof? Akira Komatsu, secretary-general of the
Japanese Federation of Music Therapy, responds, "Unfortunately, I can't
say definitely." Komatsu, who often organizes conferences on music therapy,
says, "Whether it is effective or not greatly depends on the individual's
receptivity toward the music. If someone says enka music gives him a
great effect, for example, it still may not work for you if you don't like enka
yourself. It's extremely difficult to predict therapeutic and
psychological reactions to given musical pieces."
The Japanese Federation of Music Therapy has more than 1,300 members,
mostly doctors and nurses. It promotes clinical research on music therapy
from a medical standpoint and tries to get music therapy recognized as a
valid treatment by the medical world.
There are some who criticize the wide variety of relaxation CDs because of
the lack of clinical proof. However, Komatsu said, "I don't think there is
anything to be suspicious about. Music therapy has no bad side effects,
either."
Since ancient times, in fact, music therapy has been used. Religious music,
such as hymns and chants, is music therapy in a broad sense. People
recover their peace of mind by singing or listening to hymns while
worshipping.
A 1950s concept, which holds good to this day, was developed by Edward
Podolsky, an American psychologist and psychopathologist. He
systematized what kinds of music are effective for which kinds of
illnesses. For example, he discovered that the prelude to "William Tell,"
by the Italian composer Gioacchino Rossini, has a beneficial effect on those
suffering from depression. And the "Coffee Cantata," by the German
composer Wilhelm Friedemann Bach, works well for the mentally
deranged.
Podolsky's long prescription slip of music therapy still influences modern
medical circles in the world. But because of his poor clinical background,
the mainstream of music therapy has gradually shifted from "receptive
music therapy" (listening to music) to "active music therapy" (playing an
instrument).
Since music therapy was introduced into Japan in the early 1980s, active
music therapy has been the mainstream. This therapy is most often applied in
three fields ― medical treatment, education and social welfare. Doctors get
patients to play an instrument in order to stimulate their physical and
mental functions. This treatment works well for the handicapped, for
autistic children, and for the elderly who are becoming mentally weak.
Recently, however, the Japanese medical world has been entering into a new
phase. An increasing number of doctors have begun to introduce receptive
music therapy. Surgeons, for example, apply music to patients before,
during and after surgical operations to ease their tensions and anxieties.
Obstetricians, dentists, pediatricians, and specialists in charge of
terminal care are also adopting the therapy.
Komatsu says, "Music is not a medicine. It's clear we cannot expect quick
results from music the way we do from medicines. But if combined with
other medical treatment, I believe music is certainly effective."
Shukan ST: Sept. 13, 1996
(C) All rights reserved
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