Electroencephalography and Music Therapy: On the Same Wavelength?

Authors

  • Jörg Fachner DMSc, MS Ed
  • Thomas Stagemann MD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47513/mmd.v5i4.215

Abstract

Particularly due to its temporal resolution, electroencephalography (EEG) has proved to be a feasible tool to study music perception and cognition. Consistent with the growing impact of neuroscientific research in music within the last two decades, the application of electrophysiological parameters has become more interesting for music therapy as well. This article offers an overview of electro- physiological basics and principles of EEG recording. Further, it reviews some electrophysiological studies on music perception. Eventually, it focuses on the results of EEG studies in participants with depression: clinically relevant reductions in depression and anxiety parameters are accompanied by lasting changes in resting EEG, that is, significant absolute power increases at left frontotemporal alpha and theta waves. The implications for future developments in research and clinical practice of music therapy are discussed.

Author Biographies

Jörg Fachner, DMSc, MS Ed

Department of Music and Performing Arts, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK.

Jörg Fachner, DMSc, MS Ed, is a professor of music, health, and the brain at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK. He did his research on music and consciousness states and also music therapy treatment research on depression and stroke.

Thomas Stagemann, MD

Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien, MBM Abteilung für Musiktherapie, Vienna, Austria.

Thomas Stegemann, MD, is a credentialed music therapist and a child and adolescent psychiatrist. Since 2011, he is the head of the Department of Music Therapy at the University of Music and Per- forming Arts, Vienna.

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Issue

Vol. 5 No. 4 (2013): Special Issue: Neurobiological Aspects of Music and Music Therapy

Section

Full Length Articles