Music is well known to have a significant effect on physiology and is widely used as an effective therapeutic tool in stress and pain management, rehabilitation, and behavior modification, but its effects are not well understood.This book explains what 'music' is, how it is processed by and affects the body, and how it can be applied in a range of physiological and psychological conditions. Rhythm, melody, timbre, harmony, dynamics, and form, and their effects on the body are explored in detail, helping practitioners create effective therapy interventions that complement other treatment systems. Case studies and evidence from research and practice show how music therapy can benefit people with autistic spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, schizophrenia, and sensory difficulties, among other conditions.The Music Effect is an essential resource for music therapists, clinicians, educators and anyone with an interest in holistic therapy.

Foreword, George D. Patrick, Mark O. Hatfield Clinical Research Center, Bethesda, MD. Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. What Is This Thing Called 'Music'?: General Considerations. 3: Principles of Physics From Which Derive The Elements Of Music. 4: Principles Of Physiology and The Elements Of Sensory Information Processing. 5: Fear And The Instinct For Survival: What Happens When The Set-Points Go Awry? 6: Physiologic Entrainment. 7: Rhythm In Music And Physiology. 8: Melody - The Pitch Of Human Emotion. 9: Timbre, Harmony And Dynamics: Adding Richness And Depth To Rhythm And Melody. 10: Form - Creating Aesthetic Wholeness. 11: Nature Expressed Through Nurture. 12: Coda: Where Are They Now? References. Subject Index. Author Index.