Surgical Music Therapy: The Significance and Implementation of Music Therapy in the Operating Arena

Abstract

While music therapy is rarely practiced perioperatively, an extensive body of research confirms the efficacy of music therapy with comparable medical populations. Numerous music-in-medicine and music therapy studies suggest that surgical music therapy (SMT) may in fact be beneficial in the perioperative realm. In this article, SMT experiences are relayed, offering goals, suggestions, and challenges in its facilitation. Methods, practices, and professional issues related to expediting music therapy in the surgical arena are discussed, with the objective of inspiring real-world applications and further research in this area. In so doing, this article articulates the potential of SMT to serve as an adjunct to standard surgical care and illustrates how music therapists might introduce and expand SMT practices at hospitals and surgery centers nationwide.

http://ift.tt/2xVqRUk