These conditions affect millions worldwide, causing physical, emotional and cognitive challenges. 

Conventional treatments often have limited efficacy or serious side effects, leaving individuals searching for alternative approaches.

Music therapy has emerged as a promising complementary treatment, harnessing the therapeutic potential of music to improve symptoms and quality of life. 

By examining the research and applications of music therapy, we can better understand its role in improving health outcomes for individuals with these conditions.

Music profoundly affects the brain and body. Research suggests that music's therapeutic effects are rooted in its ability to modulate brain activity, releasing dopamine and promoting brain plasticity, as noted by Sihvonen et al.

Music therapy's benefits extend beyond emotional expression, impacting physiological processes and promoting adaptive changes in the brain.

Music's multimodal activation of neural pathways activates multiple brain regions, including the auditory cortex, motor cortex and limbic system, strengthening existing neural connections and developing new ones.

Music-based interventions promote neuroplastic changes, leading to improved cognitive function, motor abilities and emotional well-being, as discussed by Herholz and Zatorre.

Music also modulates neurochemicals, releasing dopamine during music listening and making, which evokes feelings of pleasure and reward, according to Chanda and Levitin.

The therapeutic applications of music therapy are diverse, facilitating functional improvement through neural circuitry reorganisation in conditions like stroke and traumatic brain injury.  Neurologic Music Therapy is a standardised system promoting cognitive, sensory and motor functions.

Active music therapy involves music-making activities like singing, playing instruments, or music-based movement, improving physical function, reducing pain and enhancing mood in individuals with chronic pain.

Research in the Journal of Pain (2022) shows that active music therapy effectively manages chronic pain.

Music-based interventions improve gait parameters, fatigue levels, coordination, dexterity, balance and emotional status in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). 

Rhythmic auditory stimulation enhances gait and mobility, while playing musical instruments improves mobility and fine motor skills.

Active music therapy benefits individuals.

Receptive music therapy involves listening to music for relaxation, stress reduction or emotional expression, reducing pain, anxiety and depression in individuals with chronic pain, multiple sclerosis and stroke.

According to the Journal of Pain (2022), receptive music therapy effectively manages chronic pain by reducing pain intensity and improving mood.

Improvisational music therapy benefits individuals with stroke by enhancing motor recovery and cognitive function.

According to Impellizzeri et al,(2020), neurological music therapy improves cognitive function, emotional status, motivation, mood and quality of life. 

The therapeutic effects are attributed to modulating brain activity, releasing dopamine and promoting brain plasticity, as discussed by Chanda and Levitin.

Music genres impact individuals with chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, and stroke, offering therapeutic benefits.

Highlife music boosts mood and motivation with upbeat rhythms and melodies (Hetland & Wininger, 2001). Gospel music provides comfort with spiritual themes. 

Reggae music promotes relaxation with laid-back rhythms. Hip-hop enhances motivation with empowering lyrics. Country music evokes nostalgia and comfort.

R&B fosters emotional expression with soulful melodies.

Music therapy's effectiveness in managing chronic pain, multiple sclerosis and stroke is promising, but limitations and contraindications exist.

Variability in music therapy approaches can make standardising treatment protocols challenging (Hetland & Wininger, 2001). 

Music therapy may not be suitable for patients with severe cognitive impairment or music-related trauma (Impellizzeri et al., 2020).

Trained therapists are essential for effective and safe treatment (Chanda & Levitin, 2013).

Music therapy improves physical, emotional and cognitive function in chronic pain, multiple sclerosis and stroke patients by modulating brain activity and promoting brain plasticity.

It reduces pain, anxiety and depression through various approaches like active music-making, receptive listening and improvisational music-making.

Despite limitations, music therapy shows promise in improving health outcomes. 

Future research should explore its mechanisms, develop standardised protocols and integrate it into clinical practice.

The writers are a naturopathic doctor (candidate)/medical laboratory technologist/medical journalist and a naturopathic practitioner/medical/science journalist, respectively.  

E-mails: [email protected]/[email protected]