INTERDISCIPLINARY PERSPECTIVES ON THE USE OF MUSICAL INTERVENTIONS IN HEALTHCARE

Abstract

The relationship between music and medicine is an interdisciplinary field developing at the intersection of medical sciences, neuroscience, psychology, and the performing arts. Music can influence cognitive, emotional, physiological, and social processes, which explains the growing interest in its clinical use. This article examines the main ways in which music may contribute to improving health, with particular attention to anxiety and pain reduction, mental health support, and quality of life. It distinguishes music therapy from “music medicine”, since interventions delivered by a qualified music therapist involve a therapeutic relationship and a protocol adapted to the patient, whereas pre-recorded music may be used by healthcare professionals as a complementary intervention. Current literature indicates beneficial effects of musical interventions in various clinical contexts; however, the heterogeneity of protocols and the variable quality of studies require cautious interpretation. Music should not be regarded as a substitute for medical treatment, but as a possible complementary component of a holistic, patient-centred approach.