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Music as a Weapon – Against Stress

Music and its effects on stress is a theme that can be seen repeated over the centuries, perhaps even the millenia. However, not until relatively recently has there been empirical proof for benefits of music in relation to stress, as well as a host of other long suspected benefits. The outlet of creativity and voice does not end with the author of any given musical piece, but in fact extends the same metaphorical olive branch to its end user.

Since the dawn of recorded history, and perhaps before, mankind has enjoyed both listening to and playing music – in many different forms. Rudimentary stringed, percussion, and wind instruments have been discovered as far back as in the Indus River Valley archeological dig sites, estimated at 2600 - 1900 B.C.E. (Massey). Comments throughout the ages can be found on the human reaction to music, with certain types of music banned by the Catholic Church for its perceived evil, and by the mid-1600's the general public was highly interested in hearing properly structured and performed music, now known as chamber music from the Baroque period. At the same time, music had been noted in its clinical usage for treating mental illnesses, and other afflictions, by Robert Burton, even referencing esoteric works of distant history that demonstrated a use of music as a form of treatment (Burton).

On an individual basis, many claim to find music relaxing, calming, or otherwise therapeutic, without a basis in empirical data (Atkinson et. al). Over the passing of the last few decades, studies of different type and design, as well as scientific branch of origin, have demonstrably shown the knowledge of the people as, for once, being true. Not only has music been found to have an effect on stress, but also on mood, tension, mental clarity, and various other affectations of the subconscious (Atkinson et. al).

The American Music Therapy Association, an admittedly biased organization, promotes music as a corollary treatment for dementia, stroke, Parkinson's Disease, and pain (Dolev et. al). The scientific and medical praise is not limited to those with bias, however, as Dolev et. al discovered in their 2002 comprehensive study that patients reported being less stressed after a controlled musical exposure – even though there were no tangible physiological differences in pre- and post-music readings. Other studies have found that guided imagery, in combination with music therapy, produced similar results, with one conjecture implying that music is merely a way to approach the cognitive component of stress, and not the bodily symptoms (Arke et. al).

An interesting question, when considering the effects of music on stress, is the type of music experienced – common knowledge would suggest that only “New Age” or otherwise light music could have a positive effect on an individual's stress levels. Evidence supports otherwise, and points to the importance of an individual being interested in or liking the music in use with music therapy (Atkinson et. al). However, there are indications that different types of music can produce different reactions from a listener, regardless of level of interest: classical music effects only tension, whereas “New Age” effects relaxation, hostility, and tension, as well as inversely in mental clarity and vigor. Results for other, varying types of music produced unique variances in positive and negative effects, but along the lines of what could be expected (Atkinson et. al). A noted reference in studying the effects of music on mood is that rock music does not perform as many would hypothesize: on teenagers that preferred heavier music, it was found to have a net positive effect, rather than making the subjects angrier or more violent.

Having found largely cognitive responses between stress and music, in a variety of studies, one could conclude that an individual's mental state could, and is, effected by auditory comprehension. A similar conclusion can be made in terms of physiological responses, suggesting that in order to produce tangible results in stress level management, other techniques and methods should continue to be observed, defined, and studied – music may be used as a corollary tool, but not as an individual destressor.

This is not to say, however, that music does not have its own place in humanity's minds and hearts. Music exists as an outlet of creativity for the musical author that can be experienced directly by the audience, allowing personal connections, meaning, and redefinition. If a deep-rooted connection between music and the listener did not exist, music as a form of self-expression and entertainment would not have survived the millenia that it has successfully crossed, nor would it remain popular in the modern fashion. Music continues to be a large part of a modern individual's life, regardless of medium and location, most especially as a retreat from the real world. Would millions of dollars of consumer spending, or perhaps millions of allegedly illegal downloads, be spent on something they found neither interesting nor helpful?

Regardless of scientific basis, history suggests that music will continue to be perceived as an alleviator of stress by the general public, and will continue to influence the moods of people for centuries to come – even if the effect is more cognitive than physiological.

Works Cited
Arke, Brooke and Jason L. Burns, Kirsten Capeless, Bret Cooksey, Chris Gonzales, Elise Labbe, Angel Steadman. “The Effects of Different Types of Music on Perceived and Physiological Measures of Stress”. Journal of Music Therapy 39.2 (2002): 101-116.

Atkinson, Mike and Bob Barrios-Choplin, Dana Tomasino, Rollin McCraty. “The Effects of Different Types of Music on Mood, Tension, and Mental Clarity”. Alternative Therapies 4.1 (1998): 75-84.

Burton, Robert. “Music a Remedy.” The Anatomy of Melancholy, Vol. 2. Echo Library, 2007.

Dolev, Jackqulin and Zeev N. Kain, Lina Kulkarni, Shu-Ming Wang. “Music and Preoperative Anxiety: A Randomized, Controlled Study”. Anesthesia and Analgesia 94 (2002): 1489-1494

Massey, Jamila and Reginald Massey, Eilean Pearcey, Ravi Shanker. “The Music of India.” Kahn and Averill Publishers, 1993.