The Effects of Music Therapy on Individuals Suffering from Psychiatric Disorders: A Literature Review and Look into Future Prospects

Abstract

Music therapy is a field of psychology and psychotherapy that exists under the broad field of study known as expressive arts therapy. This form of therapy is experiential in nature, and it gives participants vehicles through which they can tell their stories and share their emotions while actively exploring their thoughts. Music therapy has proven to be an effective treatment for a myriad of psychological disorders, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and schizophrenia. In order to grant a base level of understanding, research was conducted examining the methods and approaches used in music therapy, along with the psychological and physiological effects that it has on its participants. Primary findings show that the trend in research is toward a more broad-spectrum use of music therapy, as well as an expansion of the current treatment contexts and conventions. Secondary findings revolve around the limited literature regarding music therapy and its association with those who suffer from psychiatric disorders and are already receiving pharmacologic treatment. Tertiary findings will revolve around the discovery of various neurobiological and neurophysiological findings related to music therapy and its effects on the brain.