Page 42 - NAMAH-Jul-2021

Namah Vol. 29, Issue 2, 15th July 2021

studies of the so-called ‘transfer effects’ of musical between musical improvisation (Rabindra
activities on non-musical tasks for better mental Sangeet, Indian Classical Music along with
health in the old-age population, and which is flute instrumental music) and the emotional
linked with cognitive reserve, along with music- processing of older adults with Parkinson’s
induced physiological effects, which are related disease. Four female older adults, in an age
to mood and reward modulations due to the group of 60-80 years were selected, who had
emotional aspects of music. The second part of faced Parkinson’s disease for over the last 5-7
this is based on various research studies of neuro- years. All four experimental subjects had a
chemical responses in the brain related to music musical background and had learnt music
and the emotions. The third part of the paper in their childhood, especially Hindustani
provides the conclusion based on case studies classical music and Rabindra Sangeet. On
and previous research papers which advocate the basis of the current need assessment of
music therapy as an effective tool in mental health each individual, the model was designed on
practices and rehabilitation for older adults with the evidence-based music therapy treatment
Parkinson’s disease. plan for good mental health, to cope with
their current condition.
Case studies
We selected tele-health practice as a tool for
• Skill/area targeted — depression/ music therapy and therapeutic singing (TS),
sadness Age group — 4 older adults and music in psychosocial training and
with Parkinson’s disease, aged 60-80 counselling (MPC) as a technique based on
years. Participants must have at least a the needs assessment of individuals. Each
minimum level of verbal communication 60-minute individual session was divided
and musical training into four parts, including guided music
• Setting — individual music therapy session listening, music and movements, expressive
(weekly twice) improvisation and composition exercise.
• Tools —- tele-health practices in neuro- These musical performances were designed
logical music therapy to address issues of mood-control, reality
• Techniques —therapeutic singing (TS), orientation, affective expression, cognitive
Music in psychosocial training and coherence and appropriate social interaction
counselling (MPC) to facilitate psychosocial functions and induce
• Music selection —Rabindra Sangeet, positive emotions. We divided the four
Indian classical music, instrumental flute individuals into two separate groups, each
music having a separate model of improvisation
• Equipment needed — recorded music, followed by guided music listening. The first
laptop/computer, phone, harmonium, group of two had twenty individual 45-minute
electronic tabla sessions of Rabindra Sangeet improvisation,
followed by 15 minutes of flute with natural
Design sounds and instrumental music listening. The
post-session assessment of each individual
This study of 40 individual music therapy exhibited more positive emotions, were
sessions sought to find the relationship higher in energy with a good happiness

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