Skip to main content

Art & Music Therapy for Patients



Hospitals do not generally allow music in patients rooms, and many people wonder why.  The fact is, not everyone appreciates background music.  As much as music can be soothing and relaxing to some, it can actually be an annoyance to others.  Music can stir a variety of emotions, from happy to sad.  People hospitalized long term have a tendency to become very settled in routine, and can often lack the ability to display emotions.  Music can trigger feelings that have not been felt in some time.  Even if the emotions brought to the surface are a little reminiscing and sad, that is part of life, and it helps to motivate patients to move forward in their recovery process. 
If you are given the option to select the type of music for your patient, consider the decade they can probably relate to the most, and you can almost never be wrong. 

Art Therapy 

Art Therapy provides therapeutic, healing benefits for patients in hospitals and other medical settings, and is used with greater frequency to significantly reduce a broad spectrum of symptoms related to pain, anxiety, and discomfort. Art Therapy helps individuals cope with complex health-related issues, lifestyle transition, grief, expression and communication, and more.
 “Numerous case studies have reported that art therapy benefits patients with both emotional and physical illnesses. Case studies have involved many areas, including burn recovery in adolescents and young children, eating disorders, emotional impairment in young children, childhood grief, and sexual abuse in adolescents. Studies of adults using art therapy have included adults or families in bereavement, patients and family members dealing with addictions, and patients who have undergone bone marrow transplants, among others.


Art therapy is a form of emotional support that can be helpful to people who are struggling with difficult and challenging situations. It involves using visual art materials with a trained art therapist to create pictures or objects that have meanings. Art therapy may help release bottled up emotions, and give new understanding and perspectives.  
Art therapy is not about creating a fantastic piece of art. You don’t need to be able to draw or paint.

For people living with cancer, art therapy offers a way of communicating and exploring confused or difficult thoughts and feelings. It can encourage positive feelings too, as people enjoy the control and expressive qualities of making art. It is supportive to share experiences with a trained art therapist and connect with other people who are in similar situations. 
Art therapy may be very helpful for people who feel uncomfortable with touch or talk therapies. And it can be helpful in supporting families and friends affected by cancer.
There are currently some studies that prove the benefits of music and art therapy for patients, and they all indicate the same positive results.  some hospitals are starting to implement programs that involve art therapy, and are using it for patients that have a stay longer than a few days. 

Art therapists are trained to work with people with a variety of problems, including
Chronic or life limiting illnesses, including cancer
Mental health problems, including depression and addiction
Relationship problems
Eating disorders
Learning disabilities

Why people with cancer use art therapy


  • As with many types of psychological support, people with cancer use art therapy to help themselves manage their feelings, relationships and activities better. 
  •  Art therapists use a variety of techniques within a safe and confidential setting to help people 
  • Express buried emotions 
  •  Adjust to a changing body image 
  •  Cope with grief 
  • Cope with fear, anxiety and depression 
  • Gain a sense of freedom and self confidence 
  • Communicate more easily


Art therapy can be a safe way for people with cancer and their families to explore emotions such as anger, fear and anxiety about the cancer and treatment. Some adults and children find it easier to express difficult emotions and painful times through being creative, rather than trying to talk things through.

For bedridden patients, adult coloring books are the new craze. They are very popular and can be purchased mostly anywhere books are sold.  They make an ideal distraction for those in bed.



Please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest  and Twitter

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

As a Nursing Student, what Extracurricular Activities are Beneficial?

We already had our time to treat the immense demanding curricula a nursing school provides. Nursing students are often familiarized with it at the very beginning of their journey. Information usually being provided is strictly covering what the school curricula involve. It does not provide hints on possible courses or extracurricular activities a nurse-to-be has to follow in order to get the most of his/her studying years. A nursing student might consider going for a nurse related extracurricular activity that will be efficient in terms of time management. What might count as a productive extracurricular activity for a nursing student? o      Initiating one or more community service projects o      Job shadowing o      Volunteer   Why should one consider these extracurricular activities once he or she is studying to become a nurse? Well, first of all, nursing requires a lot of good will and dedication. It is that kind of profession you need to put all your physic

Where do Registered Nurses Work?

Registered nurses are needed far and wide, and there dispersal amongst various facilities is illuminating.   Commonly, you associate nurses with hospitals, but their expertise is needed in a plethora of environments.   An overwhelming amount of nurses, (60% to be exact) operate in hospitals.   Comparing this percentage to the mere 5% working in nursing homes, RN’s have disseminated into non-governmental and EDU positions, as well as employment facilities and doctor’s offices.    Related : 2016 INTERNATIONAL NURSES ASSOCIATION (INA) SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Visit www.nurseadvisormagazine.com for more information on nursing. R elated : Top Nurse with the International Nurses Association, Steven Eric Southerland, RN, BSN, AAS, EMT-P to Publish in the Worldwide Leaders in Healthcare Please follow us on Facebook , Linkedin , Pinterest , Twitter

Insomnia in Nurses

The nursing profession has more workers suffering from insomnia than any profession overall.   It's really not surprising: rotating shifts, long hours, emotionally draining days or nights, and of course the pressure of not making a mistake. It all can take its toll, and that toll may be in the form of insomnia.   Insomnia Facts Do you ever look at s sleeping baby, and think about how you wish you could sleep like that?   Babies have no daily worries. Someone always cares for their needs, so their minds are not preoccupied with “what ifs”, or consumed with thoughts of everything that must be accomplished the following day.   No wonder we can't sleep!   One of the main reasons so many nurses suffer from insomnia is that it's difficult to essentially shut the mind down.   You can physically put your body to bed, however you cannot reach in the brain, flip a switch, and turn of the mind.   Think of it like this; you get a comfortable blanket and pillow however ins