MUSIC THERAPY AS PART OF THE TREATMENT OF HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS

Abstract

Objective: This paper presents the experience of a university extension project conducted in an University Hospital, with inclusion of music therapy in outpatient multidisciplinary care of the hypertensive patient. Design and method: It is developed music therapy interventions in different settings, mainly in the waiting room of the outpatient service, using as main resources the voice and the guitar, which become more accessible instruments for outpatient/hospital service. The interventions last for approximately forty minutes. Other interventions of music therapists occur in different settings, such as the bi-weekly meeting of Clube do Hipertenso (for all the patients) or prevention actions. The main music therapy techniques are interactive and singing is the main activity. Breathing and relaxation activities are also performed, together with the sound-musical expression or the musical hearing. Results: With the interventions, carried out with a humanistic approach and holistic vision, an environment of listening and welcoming is provided, where patients can express themselves and perceive habits that influence health and quality of life. It encourages a look at itself and the other, because the consultations/interventions are realized in group and they provide the sharing of experiences. The project has been provided: encourage the adoption of healthy habits; decrease the stress of patients; include the music therapist in the multidisciplinary team; contribute to the humanization of care in collective health; promote health education; and, to stimulate the relation between extension, teaching and research actions in the university. Conclusions: It is considered that the action of the music therapist seeks the integral improvement of the individual, since it can cover biopsychosocial aspects of the hypertensive individual and meets the main objectives of the following Public Policies of the Ministry of Health: National Humanization Policy, National Health Policy of the Elderly People, National Policy of Basic Attention and National Policy of Health Promotion, consciously inserted in the actions of all the health team.