Certificate Course in MUSIC THERAPY for Health Professionals

Dr T.V. Sairam, President of the Indian Music Therapy Association, launched an online programme for the first-time-ever “Certificate Course in Music Therapy for Health Professionals” on August 24, 2021. Dr M Vijaya Kumar, Hon'ble Vice-Chancellor, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), presided over the function.

Dr C.V. Raghuveer, former Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Dr Vijayalakshmi Subramaniam, Course Co-ordinator, Professor & Head, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, sang the invocation song. Dr Vijayalakshmi Subramaniam welcomed the gathering. Then, the dignitaries performed the lighting the lamp ceremony.

Dr T.V. Sairam stated: Music has been used for the treatment of patients from time immemorial in India. However, research by Modern medicine methods to create evidence is lacking. Music is known to have healing powers in mood disorders, neurodegenerative conditions, relieving anxiety and pain. It improves mental and spiritual health and encourages emotional expressions.

Dr K.S. Gangadhara Somayaji, Registrar, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), released Music Preference Questionnaire. Dr M.S Moosabba, Dean / Principal, YMC, mentioned about music being used to improve the outcome of the surgery.

According to Dr Prabha Adhikari, Professor and Head of the Department of Geriatric Medicine, while music therapy courses are available in some centres in India, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University) is the first health care institution to offer the course to health care professionals.

During the pandemic, this 6-month certificate course involving 60 hours is offered as an online course and will then be offered as an offline course. The course has 14 registered participants. The course involves interactive lectures, group discussions and few practical hours.