Beyond a form of entertainment, music has been used for centuries for therapeutic purposes. Studies have suggested that Indian ragas, a classical form of Indian music, can have a powerful impact on improving physical and emotional well-being.
BeatCurry Team
Music Therapy
Music therapy is a type of therapy that uses music to help patients work through psychological or emotional struggles they may be experiencing. It incorporates all aspects of traditional therapy sessions but with the added benefit of music. Music therapy has been shown to be effective in improving mood, promoting peace in healthcare settings, and potentially playing a valuable role in wider public health initiatives.
Music as medicine
Music as medicine, on the other hand, focuses more on the clinical benefits that music can offer to improve patient care. Unlike music therapy, those administering “music medicine” do not necessarily require certification as music therapists. Music medicine is a broader term that encompasses situations where a doctor may use music in caring for their patient, even if they are not an accredited music therapist.
Among the different forms of music therapy, Indian ragas have emerged as a promising tool to reduce stress and alleviate pain while providing comfort and entertainment to patients, thereby promoting healing and mental well-being. Integrating this unique form of music into daily healthcare routines can broaden the reach of music therapy to patients who might have been deprived of its benefits otherwise. By using Indian ragas, healthcare professionals can potentially improve the physical and mental well-being of their patients.
Indian Ragas and Health: Empirical Evidence and Positive Outcomes
Indian ragas have been closely linked to positive healthcare outcomes for decades. In a study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research, 65% of participants experienced improved cardiac health after listening to Indian ragas intermittently, and 55% of them reported an increased sense of mental well-being. Subjects who listened to these ragas had significantly lower stress levels than those who did not. These findings affirm the long-held cultural understanding of the power of Indian music as a form of medicinal therapy.
Empirical evidence suggests that music can improve outcomes in healthcare, both for the patient and the healthcare workforce. A music-based intervention known as music RX has been proven to reduce stress and improve relaxation. Integrating Indian ragas into music RX holds the potential to deliver positive outcomes due to its age-old heritage, which encourages spiritual connection and increased empathy.
Physicians can implement Indian ragas into their music RX interventions in various ways, including providing music during procedures, using them therapeutically during consultations, offering interactive music experiences to patients, recommending music listening as follow-up care between visits, and integrating music into staff meetings. These practices have been proven to improve patient satisfaction scores, foster healthier work environments, and offer more meaningful relationships with patients.
In conclusion, Indian ragas hold tremendous potential in the healthcare industry. By introducing raga-based music therapy, utilizing the science behind the ragas, implementing raga-based music therapy methods into healthcare settings, and understanding the role of professionals in this form of treatment, Indian ragas could become an important part of physicians’ wider medical interventions. This would ultimately improve the lives of patients, especially during a time when they need it the most. Therefore, healthcare institutions should give more prominence to this form of medicine by exploring its scope and drawing on a combination of art, empathy, and innovation to provide our society with the best care possible.
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