House Music
Intended Audience
All members including people diagnosed with cancer, family members and caregivers, as well as the public.
Program Description
Wellspring Calgary offers a variety of music programs including song-writing, music therapy, instrumental workshops in drumming, kalimba and ukuleles well as in-house concert events. Participants embrace the sense of community that music brings with a weekly music jam (Campfire Classics), bringing their own music and instruments. In the words of poet and novelist Victor Hugo, “Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent.”
“Music eases the soul, raises spirits and builds community.”
“I enjoy watching people smiling and not worrying about anything or anyone.”
“Music stimulates healing.”
Benefits and Impact
According to numerous studies, music for pleasure or for therapy produces immeasurable benefits and creates an overall sense of well-being. In cancer-related studies, there is evidence that music can help reduce pain, increase concentration, boost mood, improve physical movement, reduce stress and relieve chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Other studies show that playing an instrument or engaging in musical activities lowers heart rate, breathing rate and blood pressure. Overall, medical experts agree that music can reduce some symptoms of illness and vastly enrich a patient’s quality of life.
What to Expect at a Session
Wellspring Calgary’s music programs are for members of every skill level and interest. Upon signing up, participants will be expertly guided by facilitators who are generously talented and focused on the healthful benefits of music in life and in health. Some programs involve listening and discussing, others involve composing and playing. The point of all music programs is to find pleasure and solace and to connect to self and others through notes, rhythms and words.
What the Research Says
Research shows that music therapy (MT) may lower anxiety, pain, mood-related disorders, and physiological symptoms. In a study involving 126 palliative cancer patients, patients self-reported that their pain decreased from 2.7 to 2.1 on a 5-point pain scale after completing a single session of MT. Scientists also analyzed 6 separate studies on MT and found that anxiety levels were significantly decreased in patients who underwent a weekly 20-40 minute MT session compared to those who did not. Furthermore, mood-related disorders such as anger, fatigue, and confusion were found to decrease. In a 2011 study, scientists found that MT had a small effect on lowering blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate in cancer patients (Archie P., Bruera E., Cohen L. 2013. Music-based interventions in palliative cancer care: a review of quantitative studies and neurobiological literature. Support Care Cancer. 21 (9):2609-2624). FOR
FURTHER RESEARCH LINK, CLICK HERE: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11191042 http://link.springer.com.ezproxy.lib.ucalgary.ca/ article/10.1007/s00520-014-2478-7/fulltext.html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/ PMC2804629/ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23715815
