Symposium on music as therapy at RBU

CHANDIGARH: Rayat Bahra Dental College and Hospital in collaboration with Indian Music Therapy Association (IMTA) on Friday organised a symposium on "Adjunct Therapies-Role of Music Therapy in Medical, Dental and Nursing Care" to mark world health day.

Dr TV Sairam, President IMTA, in his keynote address said this year's symposium theme underscores the crucial role of music and its unique ability to affect mood and emotion. Research suggests music might do this by actually altering brain activity.

Dr Akshey Kumar Sharma, principal, Rayat Bahra Dental College and Hospital and convener of the symposium said there are now 30 National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers that offer music therapy as an integrative treatment for cancer.

Dr Neena Mehta, dean academics and event coordinator, Rayat Bahra Dental College and Hospital, highlighted the unique qualities of music, which sets it apart from language. “Unlike words, music operates independently of rational and intellectual processes, evoking an autonomous response and eliciting emotions in individuals.

Gurvinder Singh Bahra, chancellor of the Rayat Bahra University, said music therapy is an experiential form of therapy during which a person goes through assessment, treatment and evaluation by engaging in different types of music experiences. These music experiences might include listening to music, writing music or playing instruments.

Dr Parvinder Singh, vice chancellor, Rayat Bahra University, said music seems to be a psychological and spiritual way to calm oneself down. Hence music therapy can be used as an anxiolytic agent for stressful dental procedures.

Dr Umang Jagga, Professor and Head of Department of Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry, RBDCH, and Dr Surya Udai Singh, Assistant Professor, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, RBDCH, Ms Pallavi Mehta music therapist, Dr Deepak Puri, Dr Balraj Shukla, were important speakers at the symposium.