Uganda: Music Lowers Blood Pressure, Soothes a Troubled Mind

Uganda: Music Lowers Blood Pressure, Soothes a Troubled Mind

New Vision (Kampala)

COLUMN
13 January 2008
Posted to the web 14 January 2008

Frederick Womakuyu
Kampala

ARE you stressed? Music can help soothe a troubled mind. Everyday, people listen to music, but many take it for granted. Music makes people happy, sad or relaxed. Those who play musical instruments know that music is enjoyable.

"Listening to pleasant music after a long day of work can relax your mind and body. As your mind becomes calmer, your heart rate slows down as well," says Dr. Andrew Epelu, a music therapist at Nairobi Hospital.

He adds that worldwide, music has long been recognised as a therapeutic tool. "Ancient Egyptian doctors referred to music as the, 'physic of the soul'. Navajo Indians still conduct 'curing songs' that combine song with dance and sand-painting to treat people with illnesses," he adds.

Epelu adds that even the Bible cites music's therapeutic value. "And when the evil spirit came upon Saul, David would take the lyre and play with his hand and Saul would be relieved and feel restored and the evil spirit would depart from him."

Epelu says music therapy began as a psychological intention following World War II. A group called Hospital Volunteer Musicians toured military hospitals to play for veterans with post-war psychological problems.

Epelu says the movement was unified when the international Foundation for Music Therapy was founded in 1950.

Based in Maryland, USA, the foundation boasts of a membership of 65 countries, Uganda inclusive, and encourages the use of music in rehabilitation clinics and centres.

According to Epelu, the type of music first used was slow. With time, other patients preferred specific music like rock, reggae and ragga.

He says in most of the developing countries like Uganda, most patients prefer slow music in form of rhythm and blues. In Uganda, some hospitals use music to ease or counter patients' anxiety and depression and to lower their blood pressure. The hospitals include Mulago, Nsambya and Mbale.

"Music can create a deep sate of relaxation, lowering the body metabolism and slowing the brain waves. It allows us to reach a more freeing, meditative sate," says Dr. Helen Namutebi of Nsambya Hospital. "Once we are in this state, it is much easier to open up those hidden pockets of psyche," she adds.

Namutebi says she designed a project to test the effectiveness of music in reducing stress.

She measured her patients' blood pressure and heart rates both before and after they listened to music. Over six months, results showed significant decreases in both. So, focussing on music can boost your health.