New theories and research findings on the positive influence of music and art on health with ageing

Abstract

This review is about the latest theories of the underlying mechanisms that explain why music and art promote health and have positive influences on the course of illness with ageing. It is also about the latest findings demonstrating the positive effects that music and the arts in general have on health with ageing; cost savings to society associated with these positive findings will also be discussed. Why would engaging in music and the arts in general have positive effects on health? In the modern world, without a clear understanding of the underlying factors to explain effects or outcomes, science and society become doubtful and dismissive of even positive reported findings. These issues will be reviewed with research examples illustrating how they can be effectively addressed and positively influence societal and scientific perceptions of the value of music, art, and creative engagement in promoting health with ageing.

Keywords:

• Review
• theory
• creative engagement
• health
• ageing

Notes

^1. The Hawthorne effect is the alteration of behaviour by the subjects of a study due to their awareness of being observed. Some view it like a behavioural placebo effect.

^2. http://www.newhorizonsmusic.org/

^3. Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Horowitz

^4. http://www.who.int/about/definition/en/print.html

^5. The study has had a mix of federal and private sector sponsors: National Endowment For The Arts (NEA), the lead sponsor; Center for Mental Health Services, SAMHSA, DHHS; National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), NIH; AARP/National Retired Teachers Association; Stella and Charles Guttman Foundation, NYC; International Foundation for Music Research.

^6. www.cms.hhs.gov