6 Studies that Show How Making Music Affects the Body

A couple of weeks ago, Matt Logan of the Music Therapy Source tweeted a completely “irreverent, hilarious, & surprisingly accurate” article entitled 7 Insane Ways Music Affects the Body (According to Science). While I’m constantly reading up and obsessing myself with research on music’s physiological effects, this article opened my eyes to a new perspective. Stepping away from my music therapist mindset, I can imagine how wild it must seem to find out that music can elicit the dramatic effects on the human body as the research has shown.

I can relate to that article. It is insane how music affects the body!

Here are some of my favorite articles on music-making and changes in the body. I found these articles through Google Scholar. We know that making music:

1. Fortifies the immune system.
   Koyama M, Wachi M, Utsuyama M, Bittman B, Hirokawa K, Kitagawa M. (2009). Recreational music-making modulates immunological responses and mood states in older adults. Journal of Medical and Dental Sciences, 56(2): 57-70.
2. Enhances mood, increases cancer-killing white blood cell activity, and reduces stress.
   Wachi M, Koyama M, Utsuyama M, Bittman B, Kitagawa M, Hirokawa K. (2007). Recreational music-making modulates natural killer cell activity, cytokines, and mood states in corporate employees. Medical Science Monitor, 13(2), 57-70.
3. Reduces stress.
   Bittman B, Berk L, Shannon M, Sharaf M, Westengard J, Guegler KJ, Ruff DW (2005). Recreational music-making modulates the human stress response. Medical Science Monitor.
4. Reduces burnout, enhances mood, and is cost-effective.
   Bittman B, Snyder C, Bruhn KT, Liebfreid F, Stevens CK, Westengard J, Umbach PO (2004). Recreational music-making: An integrative group intervention for reducing burnout and improving mood states in first year associate degree nursing students: Insights and economic impact. International Journal of Nursing Education and Scholarship, 1(12).
5. Decreases burnout and enhances mood.
   Bittman B, Bruhn K, Stevens C, Westengard J, Umbach P (2003). Recreational music-making: A cost-effective group interdisciplinary strategy for reducing burnout and improving mood states in long-term care workers. Advances in Mind-Body Medicine, 4-15.
6. Reduces stress and enhances immune system.
   Bittman B, Berk L, Felten D, Westengard J, Simonton O, Pappas J, Ninehouser M (2001). Composite effects of group drumming music therapy on modulation of neuroendocrine-immune parameters in normal subjects. Journal of Alternative Therapy, 38-47.