If music be the food of love play on, says William Shakespeare in his famous play ‘Twelfth Night’. Apparently, it is not just love, but music therapy has worked wonders as an additional component in curing in-patients at the hospitals.
This was found by doctors working with the basic science of music therapy in the department of cognitive psychology at city based National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS). Impressed by its practicality, Medical Education Minister, S.A.Ramadas, has announced to introduce
music therapy in government hospitals soon. Ramadas told Deccan Chronicle:
“If every thing works according to the proposed plan, by July we are hoping to introduce music therapy at all government hospitals in the State The first set of meeting with the Director of NIMHANS, Director of State Health and Family Welfare Department from Bengaluru, Hubli, Mysore and Shimoga along with two-three scholars in the field of music to discuss the project will be held within a week."
“The music therapy will form part of the Integrated Health System policy which the State Government is likely to introduce in a month's time. Through this integrated health system we are planning to incorporate the expertise of ayurvedic doctors along with the allopathic medication which are available at out hospitals” he added.
When asked about how he derived the idea of its introduction, the Minister said: “During my conversation with the Director of NIMHANS I learnt about the concept of music therapy and its working, so I thought why don’t we try it in our hospitals. In addition, several times in Mysore I have witnessed it myself that cows which are exposed to music yields more milk, and this was evident during the milking competition.”
“Like any good food, music too is helpful and supportive in curing not just mentally ill patients, but also lightening the females when they are into labour pain. We are trying out with various Indian ragas. One’s brain persists specific raga. We are now working on the basic science of it and its side-effects” said Dr Shantala Hegde, Senior Scientific Officer, Cognitive Psychology, NIMHANS. Meanwhile, Dr P. Satishchandra, Director, NIMHANS said: “The Minister seemed to be quite interested and we have had a conversation over the matter. It will take at least three months for the entire process to be functional.”