UM medical students use music for healing
DESPITE the demanding nature of her studies, fourth-year medical student Ainura Musaeva finds time to play the piano – not only to continue pursuing her passion for music, but also for a greater purpose: offering comfort to patients and visitors at a hospital.
'My goal is to help people feel at ease and offer them a moment of peace in what may be a stressful or uncertain environment,' she told StarEdu.
Ainura is one of 23 medical students at Universiti Malaya (UM) – each of whom holds certified piano qualifications – who have volunteered as pianists at the UM Medical Centre (UMMC).
Their inaugural initiative, the Piano Therapy Project, which began this year, aims to extend patient care beyond procedures and prescriptions.
As the project's founding director, Ainura said music can have a significant effect on emotional and physical well-being.
'When selecting the musical pieces to perform, I focus on classical compositions that are calming and uplifting, as my primary aim is to create a soothing atmosphere that can provide comfort and emotional relief,' she said.
She added that the initiative has helped her understand the holistic approach to patient treatment.
'It has reminded me that healing is more than just medications and procedures; it is also about meeting patients' emotional needs and providing a supportive, comforting environment,' she said.
Programme supervisor Dr Christina Lee Lai Ling, a transfusion medicine specialist, noted that music therapy is increasingly recognised as a valuable complementary approach in healthcare, offering benefits for both patient care and medical education.
'Studies have shown that the gentle, flowing melodies of the piano have a profound impact on the human psyche, helping to slow the heart rate, lower blood pressure and reduce cortisol levels – key indicators of stress.
'Piano instrumental play without lyrics reduces analytical mind engagement and allows listeners to immerse themselves in pure sound, promoting relaxation and emotional balance.
'Live performances of soothing piano music often create a comfortable ambience and momentarily relieve the mind from the challenges of illness and recovery,' she offered.
For medical education, Dr Lee said music therapy serves as a tool to teach empathy, communication and holistic care to students.
'By integrating music therapy into medical education, studies have shown that medical students not only gain knowledge about it but also gain positive experiences regarding its use and efficacy, in line with affective and psychomotor skill-oriented learning aims.
'Ultimately, music therapy bridges the gap between science and art, enriching both patient outcomes and the education of healthcare providers,' she said.
Dr Lee shared that the project was set in motion after a grand piano was placed on the ground floor of The Plaza at UMMC following a suggestion from UMMC deputy director of management Mariashabiradalia Mohammed Hashim to create a calming space for patients waiting for their transport.
Dr Lee
'The initiative gained momentum when medical students began volunteering during their free time to perform regularly, with support from the public relations department team overseeing the piano's maintenance. The team later helped organise a roster for regular performances,' she said.
She added that the project has received positive feedback from patients, staff and visitors, many of whom expressing gratitude and appreciation for the medical students' performances.
Ainura encouraged her fellow medical students to volunteer for community projects that positively impact patients.
'Although it is reasonable to assume that medical students have a lot going on in their lives, the opportunity to contribute to community projects that provide great value to both students and patients is priceless.
'The chance to make a positive impact on someone else's day is well worth the effort,' she said.
As for what's next for the Piano Therapy Project, UMMC Corporate Relations Department head Syarifah Hasniza Syed Hassan Almashoor said plans are underway for collaboration with students from the UM Faculty of Creative Arts.
'Plans for conducting research on patients, staff and their mental health, as well as improving the overall hospital visit experience, are underway.
'The public, including patients and their accompanying persons, may also request to play the piano,' she said. – By DR WONG ZHI YONG
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