Music and emotion in palliative care

Journal/Book: J Palliat Care. 1993; 9: 48-52.

Abstract: Explores the link between music and emotion, identifying some of their common characteristics and considering how these might be at play in the clinical setting. Unlike language, music can be used to express simultaneous emotions, such as sadness, anger, and hope. Both music and emotion are the result of the dynamic interplay between tension and resolution. As a symbolic language, music can speak to the unconscious mind, eliciting images, thoughts, and sensations. Also, both music and emotions are experienced moment by moment as they move through time. Examples are given of the successful use of music therapy in the palliative care of terminal cancer patients. (French abstract) --------------------------------------- Music and emotion may share certain essential characteristics allowing the depth and breadth of music to resonate with that of emotional experience. It is perhaps this resonance which facilitates the experience, expression and working-through of feelings in music therapy work with the the terminally ill. The author explores five characteristics common to both music and emotion using clinical examples to illustrate how these might be at play in music therapy work in the palliative care setting.

Note: music therapy in palliative care; terminal cancer patients

Keyword(s): Adult ; Middle Age; Music Therapy; Neoplasms psychology; Neoplasms therapy; Symbolism Psychology. Emotions ; Music psychology; Palliative Treatment psychology. Case Report; Female; Human; Male; Palliative care; music therapy; terminally ill patients

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