Page 46 - NAMAH-Jul-2021

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

bio-marker in response to music. There and reward behaviour.
are some studies suggesting that music in
general may reduce cortisol levels. In music The impact of music therapy and musical
therapy, where musical and other activities activities on emotions and well-being is
are led by a therapist, showed mixed results. important for normal ageing, while it becomes
Following guided imaginary and music (GIM) crucial in pathological ageing. Problems like
therapy, that combines relaxation techniques anxiety, apathy, depression and agitation
and listening to classical music, the cortisol are indeed hard challenges for patients as
level was reduced lower, compared to the well as therapists when dealing with older
silent condition in healthy participants. adults with Parkinson’s disease. Through
this paper, I have tried to elaborate the
Norepinephrine system correlation between music therapy and
The activation of the sympathetic nervous mental health practice. Here, we highly
system, induced by physical or psychological advocate the use of music therapy as an
stressors, releases norepinephrine, which effective tool in mental health practice and
stimulates the adrenal glands that synthesises the rehabilitation of older adults, especially
and secretes hormone norepinephrine, epi- those with Parkinson’s disease. The combined
nephrine, and dopamine. Norepinephrine model of improvisation includes selected
neurons are located in the brainstem, primarily Rabindra Sangeet and Hindustani classical
in the locus coeruleus, whose axons widely music, followed by instrumental music that
project to the cerebral cortex, limbic regions, trigger neuro-chemical responses through
thalamus, and cerebellum as well as to the brain mechanisms that can modulate
spinal cord. Major NE projections are playing mood, pleasure and relaxation to fulfil the
an important role in stress responses and psychological needs of older adults.
various psychiatric disorders. Some research
studies revealed that music therapy sessions The correlation of music and emotion has
with the elderly who had Parkinson’s and been studied by various researchers since
cardiovascular disease lowered the plasma 1999 to now and they have established the
NE level, compared to those without music theories of neuro-chemical responses of
therapy. music for overall good emotional well-being.
Research and evidence on multi-sensory
Cholinergic system approaches of music in the brain advocate
Cholinergic neurons are localised in the the therapeutic effects of music therapy in
basal forebrain and pontomesencephalic
tegmentum (PMT) nuclei. The PMT nuclei
send projections to the spinal cord, thalamus,
basal forebrain and frontal cortex. Auditory
stimuli,activating the primary auditory
cortex, may be able to affect the activity of
cholinergic neurons in the PMT, influencing
various functions such as arousal, the sleep-
wake cycle, motor control, and motivation mental health practices and rehabilitation to

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