Music therapy is used with mentally retarded patients, for people with physical disabilities, Alzheimer's patients, and children with developmental problems. It is used in many delivery rooms to help mothers in labor. It seems to reduce the need for medications during childbirth. Music therapy helps patients with neurologic or developmental disorders by improving mental and physical functioning. It helps patients with alcohol and drug abuse problems and has the ability to decrease anxiety, depression, and the need for pain medication.
Music therapy helps rehabilitate people with muscle control problems.
Studies show that premature babies who have music piped into their intensive care units gain weight more quickly. Other studies document declines in anxiety among children scheduled for surgery. It has even been shown that music therapy helps speech development in hearing-impaired people. It is used in dental offices and to help rehabilitate stroke patients. Music therapy does not cure disease.