香港音樂治療發展之路

傳統對醫療的定義多見著重於西方醫學，近年不少人開始關注西醫以外的補充與替代療法(Alternative Medicine)。音樂治療在全球多個國家和地區已被納入醫療體系，並被視為醫療團隊的重要成員。通過音樂的運用，幫助患者在生理、心理和情感上取得明顯的進步。這種治療方法尤其對於患有慢性疾病、心理健康問題或需要康復治療的患者具有顯著效果。

音樂治療的優勢

  1. 減輕醫療負擔：音樂治療可以作為一種非藥物治療手段，減少對藥物和傳統醫療資源的依賴，從而降低醫療成本。
  2. 改善患者生活質素：音樂治療有助患者舒緩情緒壓力，提升患者的自尊和整體健康狀況，從而提升他們的生活素質。研究顯示，音樂治療能夠有效減少焦慮與減輕抑鬱症狀。
  3. 輔助康復治療：對於中風、腦損傷等患者，音樂治療可以促進神經系統的修復過程，改善患者的運動功能與認知能力，以提升康復效果。香港的部分醫療機構已開始探索音樂治療在神經康復中的應用，其中，香港大學李嘉誠醫學院護理學院李浩祥副教授曾表示支持發展音樂治療，並認為這種療法可改善兒童腦癌康復者的心理後遺症。
  4. 心理健康支持：音樂治療對於緩解焦慮、抑鬱等心理狀況有顯著作用，幫助患者有效應對情緒困擾和生活壓力。音樂治療可作為輔助治療手段，使患者在不能使用語言表達自己時釋放各種情緒。

香港的現狀與機遇

儘管音樂治療在全球逐漸受到重視，香港的醫療體系中，音樂治療尚未全面納入正規醫療服務體系。目前，部分非政府組織和私人機構已提供音樂治療服務，但其普及性和可及性依然有限。若能配合政策支援，相信音樂治療定必穩定地發展。

  1. 政策支持：縱觀全球，音樂治療發展較為成熟的地區均把該療法納入公共醫療系統，此舉可為音樂治療的運作建立清晰的系統，以及確保該系統得刊公帑資助。音樂治療在香港仍屬一個相對較新的概念，借鏡發展成熟的地區將有利該行業的發展。

  1. 提高公眾認知：凡涉及醫療議題，公眾最關心的一定是療法的安全性。透過媒體和公眾教育活動不但可增加大眾對音樂治療好處的認知，從而提高公眾對音樂治療的認識，更可以消除對其效果的疑慮並鼓勵大眾嘗試該療法。

  1. 專業認證：為了確保治療的安全性和有效地監管醫療人員，建立本地音樂治療師的專業認證體系是不可或缺的。認證系統可確保從業人員的專業水平。

我們的目標

  1. 與醫療機構合作：我們期望積極促進音樂治療師與醫院、診所等醫療機構的合作，開展更多的臨床試點項目，並探索音樂治療在不同醫療領域中的應用

  1. 培訓專業人才：鼓勵本地高等院校開設音樂治療相關課程，培養更多具有專業知識和實踐經驗的人才，以應對日益增長的治療需求。

  1. 推動立法：我們希望能提供臨床數據予政府量化音樂治療對醫療系統的益處，使其可被納入醫療服務體系。

儘管音樂治療在香港尚處於發展初期，但我們期望隨著政策支持、專業人才培養與臨床數據的積累，音樂治療有望在未來成為醫療體系中一個重要的補充療法，為更多患者提供非主流的有效支援。

Healthcare and the Evolution of Treatment Methods

Healthcare has long been dominated by Western medicine, but there’s a noticeable shift in the air. In recent years, the focus has broadened to explore treatment methods beyond traditional approaches. One such method that is gaining popularity is music therapy. It is already integrated into healthcare systems across the globe and is now being recognised as a vital member of the medical team in countries such as Australia. Through the power of music, this therapy has shown remarkable results in improving patients’ physical, psychological, and emotional health. It has proven especially beneficial for individuals dealing with chronic conditions, mental health issues, or those recovering from injury or surgery. The excitement surrounding its potential is growing, as more people realise the positive impact it can have.

Benefits of Music Therapy

  1. Reducing healthcare costs: Music therapy provides a non-invasive, drug-free alternative, which means it can significantly reduce dependence on pharmaceuticals and other traditional medical resources. Meaning, it helps lower overall healthcare costs, making it an affordable option for both patients and healthcare systems.
  2. Improving patients’ quality of life: The power of music is undeniable when it comes to cheering someone. Music therapy can alleviate emotional stress, raise self-esteem and enhance overall well-being. It has proven especially effective in reducing anxiety and easing symptoms of depression. Ultimately, this therapy improves the quality of life for many patients, helping them regain a sense of hope.
  3. Supporting rehabilitation: For patients recovering from strokes or brain injuries, music therapy plays a crucial role in helping to repair the nervous system. It aids in restoring motor skills and cognitive functions, contributing to a faster and more effective recovery. In Hong Kong, some healthcare providers are already exploring its role in neurological rehabilitation. For example, Professor Li Ho Cheung, William from the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong has supported the use of music therapy, particularly for children recovering from brain cancer, believing it can help alleviate the psychological impacts.
  4. Mental health support: The emotional impact of illness cannot be overlooked. Music therapy has proven to be a powerful tool in addressing mental health issues. It plays a vital role in alleviating anxiety, depression, and other emotional struggles, helping patients cope with stress and difficult emotions. For those who find it hard to express themselves verbally, music therapy offers an alternative, allowing them to process and release their feelings through music.

Opportunities in Hong Kong

Although music therapy is gaining recognition worldwide, Hong Kong has yet to fully embrace it within its healthcare system. Currently, music therapy services are available through a few non-governmental organisations and private providers, but access is still limited. With policy support, we are hoping to see the field to grow and flourish in the region.

  1. Policy support: Australia has a well-established music therapy systems. Their music therapy system has been integrated into public healthcare frameworks, ensuring clear guidelines, proper funding, and wide accessibility. As development of music therapy in Hong Kong is still in the early stages, we believe we can learn from other more developed systems in terms of the policy support they have got from the government. There is immense potential for music therapy to be officially recognised as a mainstream treatment option.
  2. Raising public awareness: When it comes to healthcare, the public’s greatest concern is often the safety and effectiveness of treatments. By raising awareness through media campaigns and public education initiatives, we can help people better understand the profound benefits of music therapy. This, in turn, will allow individuals to overcome any doubts and consider it as a viable and safe treatment option.
  3. Professional certification: In order to ensure the safety and effectiveness of music therapy, it is essential to establish a robust qualification system for local music therapists. This system would ensure that professionals in the field meet rigorous standards and are equipped with the necessary skills to deliver high-quality care.

Our Missions

  1. Collaboration with healthcare institutions: We are deeply committed to fostering stronger collaboration between music therapists and hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare providers. Through more clinical pilot projects, we aim to explore the potential of music therapy in various medical fields, allowing its benefits to be realised more broadly.
  2. Training the next generation of professionals: We are passionate about encouraging local universities and higher educational institutions, to offer music therapy courses. By doing so, we can ensure that the next generation of professionals is properly trained and ready to meet the growing demand.
  3. Advocating for legislation: It is our hope to present clinical data to the government, demonstrating the clear benefits that music therapy brings to the healthcare system. Through this, we aim to secure official recognition and support for music therapy as an alternative therapy option, further integrating it into the medical landscape.

While music therapy is still in its early stages in Hong Kong, we are filled with optimism. With the right policy support, professional development, and expanding clinical evidence, we are confident that it will become a cornerstone of the healthcare system—offering invaluable, non-traditional support to many more patients in need.