Music in Hospitals
UHSM is proud to have a partnership with 'Music in Hospitals', a registered charity whose mission is to improve the quality of life of adults and children with all kinds of illness and disability through the joy and therapeutic benefits of live music.
Every month, our stroke ward is visited by a group of musicians who play for the patients and the staff, entertaining them at the same time as providing some much-needed mental stimulation for the patients.
Established in 1948, Music in Hospitals has grown into the leading provider of live music across the healthcare spectrum. In the region of 5,000 concerts are presented each year to audiences of all ages in hospitals, care homes, hospices, day care centres and special needs schools throughout the UK.
Musicians engaged by Music in Hospitals are carefully chosen by audition and require very special qualities. They must perform to the highest standard, as well as being in possession of a wide repertoire and sensitivity which will enable them to relate to each member of the audience, whatever their age, illness or disability.
MiH concerts bring a sustained improvement to the quality of life of adults and children affected by all kinds of illness, life limiting conditions, mental health problems, physical and learning disabilities whilst creating a shared experience that can be enjoyed by the wider community of healthcare staff, volunteers, and relatives. The musicians’ sensitive approach helps to eliminate feelings of stigma and discrimination often experienced in healthcare, by breaking down social and cultural barriers and the routine of long term care. The musicians do not provide miracle cures but magical moments of warmth and joy, as they help to bring the person out of the patient.
Research continues to demonstrate that live music can aid the healing process, reduce anxiety, pain and depression and help lower blood pressure. Music, in many cases, can enhance the functioning of the immune system, reduce both the length of hospital stays and the perception of pain, and promote rehabilitation and recovery.
Research has also provided evidence that music can play an important role in alleviating specific conditions related to mental health. A highly relevant paper published in 2006 (C Holmes, A Knights, C Dean, S Hoskinson, V Hopkins) on reducing apathy amongst dementia patients reported that they exposed 32 patients experiencing moderate to severe dementia to 30 minutes live or recorded music, or silent periods. 69% of the patients, regardless of the severity of their condition, showed significant signs of engagement with live music, whereas engagement with recorded music was insignificant.
These and other studies validate what we know to be true from the feedback we receive from our staff who experience, first hand, the positive impact that MiH concerts have on the health and well-being of those in their care.
MiH is currently evaluating the effect that live music has on people in long term care with mental health problems through a study of our concerts. In addition, Dr John Blunden is working on a research project entitled, “Music as a Therapeutic Intervention” and a small group, headed by Dr William Boyd and Dr Alan Jacques, has recently completed a survey at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital which assessed the effect of regular performances of live music on a group of patients with a range of functional disorders.