Do you think music therapy has enough scientific backing to be used regularly?

Exposure to music therapy can dramatically improve the mental and physical condition of patients receiving palliative care, a new study suggests. The research team says that this is the first large study to gauge - and substantiate - the potential of music therapy as a physical and psychological aid to patients coping with advanced illness. "We've known for a while that music therapy can be used for a wide variety of things in a medical setting," said study author Lisa M. Gallagher, a music therapist. "But this particular study clearly shows that it helps improve mood while decreasing pain, anxiety, depression and even shortness of breath among seriously ill patients."