Turkish hospitals to introduce music as a method of healing

A music therapy training program will be offered by a group of experts thanks to the initiatives of the Health Ministry's Traditional and Complementary Medicine Directorate to officially inaugurate music therapy treatments at hospitals and other health institutions. Music therapy is expected to decrease dependence on prescription drugs, said Dr. Levent Öztürk, a professor of physiology at Trakya University's Faculty of Medicine. A scientific council with nine members has been established to define the program's framework. "Music therapy has been approved by the Health Ministry. Since bachelor's and master's degree programs in music therapy are not available in Turkey, the program will train the first Turkish experts in this field," Öztürk said, adding that the ministry will monitor the program and manage certification.

Music therapists will be assigned to state hospitals and health centers. "The music therapy bachelor's degree program will soon be introduced at universities," Öztürk said, stressing that the therapists will work under the supervision of physicians. The training program will also include instruction on how to use music therapy to eliminate migraines, headaches and pain in cancer patients. "Music therapy is a robust research field in Europe, the United States and elsewhere. Although music therapy has a history in Turkey, it is not recognized as a profession. This is why the Health Ministry has made a big step," he added.

The research on music therapy since the Ottoman period was compiled in a book in 2009 titled "Makamdan Şifaya" (From Maqam to Healing) by Levent Öztürk and Muharrem Fadıl Atik, the head of the Edirne State Turkish Music Society. Music therapy was widely adopted in the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century. The historical "darüşşifa" (hospital) in the Sultan Beyazıt II Social Complex in the northwestern province of Edirne was famous for its alternative treatment methods. Alongside water, sound and aroma therapies, Ottoman physicians used music to treat their patients. The hospital offered its services to mentally ill patients along with patients suffering from physical diseases. Hearing the sound of water flowing in the hospital's fountain was said to relax patients. At that time, a ney (reed flute) player, a violinist, a miskal (pan flute) player, a santur player, a dancer, a çeng (Ottoman harp) player and a lute player performed for patients and the mentally ill three days a week in order to cure them. While certain makams such as Neva, Rast, Dügah, Segah Çargah and Suzinak are especially good for mentally ill patients, other makams such as Zengüle, Buselik and Rast help all patients.