Music for traumatized refugees
Danish Refugee Integration network have used music therapy as a treatment since the early 90s, and are now using the music program MusiCure, developed by composer Niels Eje. The combination of specially designed music and therapeutic process has proved effective and this kind of music therapy have shown to be in demand among municipal caseworkers and social advisors.
Danish Refugee Integration network have used music therapy as a treatment since the early 90s, and are now using the music program MusiCure, developed by composer Niels Eje. The combination of specially designed music and therapeutic process has proved effective and this kind of music therapy have shown to be in demand among municipal caseworkers and social advisors.
"Normally it's difficult for traumatized refugees to talk about their problems - it is often impossible, to share severe and violent experiences, and the unpleasant symptoms these imply through words. Music is wordless and redeems the violent stress. Trust and confidence are the keys for the families to be able support each other in a therapeutic course" says candidate in music therapy from AalborgUniversity and chief consultant of the Danish Refugee Council Marianne Badstue.
Insomnia, fainting, difficulties concentrating and phantom pain is part of the symptoms that many refugees in Denmark have to live with. It damages the social situation of families and prevent a successful integration in Denmark. New Swedish research shows that the specially-designed music can alter hormonal balance and alleviate stress symptoms.
"It is deeply inspiring that the specially designed music can help make a difference for traumatized refugees in Denmark," says PhD and Accociate professor at ÖrebroUniversityHospital, Ulrica Nilsson, who has just published an article in the International medical journal “Journal of Clinical Nursing”.
Read abstract of Ulrca Nilsson’s article:
‘Randomized clinical trial examining the effect of soothing music in response to relaxation during bed rest after open-heart surgery’ here
‘Randomized clinical trial examining the effect of soothing music in response to relaxation during bed rest after open-heart surgery’ here
See also Marianne Badstue’s article: ”Musik brugt terapeutisk i flygtningefamilier -
giver gladere flygtninge med fremtidshåb” (Danish text only) under Publikationer & Artikler,
PDF presentation by Marianne Badstue: ”Musiktterapi - En ny behandlingsform anvendt til traumatiserede flygtninge (Danish text only)