Yesterday afternoon, 16-year-old Elizabeth, an Alexander High School student staying at O'Bleness Memorial Hospital after her recent appendix surgery, hosted a visitor equipped with a guitar, tambourine and lollipop-shaped drum.
Graduate student Caitlin Nicholas, studying in Ohio University's music therapy department, pays weekly visits to patients at O'Bleness, giving her the chance to practice therapy techniques utilizing various instruments.
I often encounter experiences that reiterate why I went into music therapy in the first place
said Nicholas, a board-certified music therapist who began supervising other OU students at O'Bleness last fall.
During a visit last week, she said, a patient who had rated her depression level at 10 out of 10 initially ranked it at 0 out of 10 after a visit from OU music therapy students.
Music therapy is the use of music to influence people's emotional, psychosocial and physical health, said Louise Steele, director of OU's music therapy department.
Music is embedded all over our brain whereas language is primarily one side Steele said, explaining that music therapy stimulates the entire brain and fully engages patients, strengthening their overall recovery.
The department's relationship with O'Bleness began about four years ago when President Roderick McDavis challenged OU to forge stronger ties to Athens.
Steele took the president's challenge as an opportunity to get students out of the classroom, contacting O'Bleness and laying the foundation for the program.
Later that year, hospital administrators were in attendance at a health conference hosted by the College of Osteopathic Medicine, where Steele argued the merits of allowing students to learn music therapy by working directly with patients. Her speech convinced O'Bleness to sign-on to the program.
Music therapy students conducted a study at O'Bleness in the summer of 2007, exploring the effect of music in the hospital's waiting room on visitor satisfaction. The study concluded that live music in hospital waiting areas can be a low-cost way to lower patient anxiety, according to an OU release.
The music therapy department requires students do hands-on instruction for 10 of 12 quarters, including the work in the department clinic, the Athens Hospice and, eventually, O'Bleness.
Students who go to O'Bleness often sing or use adapted instrumental instruction, Steele said, adding that musical talent is a requirement to study in the program.
A system we've developed is a level system
Steele said. First
we try to get in the door and play music to the patients. Then we will engage the brain more physically
and the nurse always tells us what our limits are.
She added that student groups have access to all units within the hospital and are supervised by someone who is board-certified in music therapy.
We've never had a complaint
only positives
Steele said. It's one of the best relationships with an agency we have had.
Nicholas said she went into music therapy because of her love for people and music.
When I heard about music therapy
it just clicked
and it combined the things I am most passionate about
Nicholas said.
Elizabeth, who requested many of the songs that Nicholas both played and sang, said the music helped relax her despite her uncomfortable surroundings.
She said it really took her mind off of being in a hospital
