Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Health Sciences Under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Sevda Asqarova, Head of the Occupational Therapy Department and Director of the Music Therapy Application and Research Center (MÜTEM), an event titled "Sensory Integration and Music Therapy" was organized. At the event, which saw high participation, what music therapy is, in which fields it is used, and its place in occupational therapy were explained.
In the program moderated by Berkay Karpuz, Head of the Occupational Therapy Club, Sensory Integration and Music Therapy topics were discussed and evaluated by expert speakers. Specialist Dr. Mustafa Sedat Özdemir, Occupational Therapist Şevval Ateş, and Occupational Therapist Zehra Akyol participated as speakers in the online event.
"Music Therapy, in addition to educating the soul, purifies the soul"
Melike Şahan, Head of Üsküdar University's Occupational Therapy and Sensory Integration Club, who gave the opening speech, said: "Music increases aesthetic, creative, and constructive thinking capacities. Engaging with music is highly beneficial for perceiving the visual world, forming mental images of objects and grasping their differences, and for the foundation of spatial intelligence. Music lessons train the nerves, enabling perceptual development in the brain. Providing even a little music education to children increases their intelligence, perception, and learning capacities, helps them establish physical and mental coordination, and develops their creativity. Music therapy helps establish emotional connections, reduce behavioral problems, increase the use of verbal and physical language, develop and reinforce motor skills, and regulate impaired motor development."
"Societies Chose Music for Healing"
Specialist Dr. Mustafa Sedat Özdemir, addressing the use of music therapy in medicine and pediatrics, said: "The effect of music on humanity was realized thousands of years ago. Previously, societies incorporated music for healing. Music therapy was used in Ottoman era and Anatolian healing centers until the 1850s. Therefore, music therapy is a practice reborn from its ashes. Of course, music therapy is not a standalone treatment method. It is a supportive element of the treatment received. Music therapy is used in many conditions such as substance addiction, oncology, exam anxiety, and eating disorders."
Helps Individuals with Autism Establish Emotional Bonds with Others
Occupational Therapist Şevval Ateş, addressing the role and importance of music therapy in autism spectrum disorder, stated: "The literal meaning of autism is self-sufficient. Music therapy has many benefits for autism. Music therapy provides improvement in the communication process of individuals with autism, develops creativity in any area, facilitates understanding and writing. It provides an effective reduction in anxiety situations and helps individuals with autism establish emotional bonds with people around them."
"Newborn Babies Need Music Therapy"
Occupational Therapist Zehra Akyol, providing evaluations on occupational therapy and music therapy approaches in newborns, said: "The term 'newborn' generally refers to the period of infancy from birth until about 2 months old. Babies with regulation issues, sleep problems, feeding difficulties, and those who do not close their mouths completely during sucking need an occupational therapy evaluation. Music therapy is a specialization that uses music and musical activities to meet individuals' physical, psychological, social, and mental needs. Music therapy is a highly effective method for problems in newborn babies."