Healing sounds of music therapy

Published on

If you listen closely in the hallways of McMaster Children’s Hospital (MCH), you might just catch the strumming of an acoustic guitar and a voice that is sure to brighten your day.

Music therapist Adrian Mollica spends his Tuesdays and Thursdays with young patients at MCH on behalf of Fermata . Through his music Adrian finds a unique connection with each of the patients.

“It has this really wonderful, non-threatening and engaging way of interacting with the kids,” explains Adrian.

Ultimately, the goal of music therapy is to positively affect both the child and their family, and to take their minds away from what has brought them in to the hospital. In addition, Adrian provides the family opportunity for relaxation while he’s interacting with a child.

MORE: UNDERSTANDING ASTHMA

Reed Wales, 18 months, was diagnosed with Leukaemia and is currently a patient at MCH. Adrian has had many visits with Reed, and the Wales family is overjoyed with the effect that the music has had thus far.

“He gets so engaged with the music,” says Reed’s father, Brett Wales. “Even earlier, Adrian was holding down the chords while Reed was strumming the guitar. He loves it!”

Reed’s favourite songs that Adrian plays are “The Wheels on the Bus” and “Jesus Loves Me”.  His usual reaction is to giggle, smile, and sometimes even fall asleep on his dad’s shoulder.

“It gives us a break,” says Brett. “The music distracts us from why we’re here and allows us to relax as a family.”

MORE: SOLVING THE MYSTERIES OF HEART SURGERY

Adrian attended Berklee College of Music where he obtained his Bachelors in Music with a major in Music Therapy. Once he was at Berklee, Adrian knew that he wanted to continue his work down a more meaningful path. Helping those who are ill and vulnerable is exactly what he was looking for.

“Being able to put a smile on [the kids’] faces, and engaging them in fun and improving their quality of life is invaluable.”

Latest articles

Helping Canada Design Health Care Facilities for Future Needs

Health care facilities (HCFs) play an important role in communities, providing a safe, secure,...

Improving wound microcirculation

Chronic wounds on the lower leg and foot have multiple etiologies that include vascular...

Alcohol-related deaths up 18% during pandemic

Alcohol-related deaths increased 18% during the pandemic, as did hospitalizations related to alcohol use,...

The Canadian Consensus Statement on the management of venous leg ulcers

This Consensus Statement was developed with the objective of creating a concise document that...

More like this

Alcohol-related deaths up 18% during pandemic

Alcohol-related deaths increased 18% during the pandemic, as did hospitalizations related to alcohol use,...

Child undernutrition may be contributing to global measles outbreaks, researchers find

Amid a global surge in measles cases, new research suggests that undernutrition may be...

Research suggests link between COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and increasing uncertainty in routine vaccines for young children

A study published last week, Parental Factors Associated With Measles–Mumps–Rubella Vaccination in US Children Younger...

Are anxiety and depression useful predictors of heart disease risk?

Adding measures of anxiety and depression to a commonly used cardiovascular risk predictor would...

Provinces need to come together now to make pharmacare a reality for all Canadians

With a federal election looming, we need swift action to make pharmacare a reality...

The role of healthcare in mitigating the climate crisis

The role of healthcare in mitigating the climate crisis By Wendy Levinson Canada signed the historic...