The healing power of music has been known since ancient times. In Ancient Greece, patients were treated with music in Asclepieion temples, while in the Ottoman Empire, music therapy was applied to mental patients at the II. Bayezid Complex in Edirne. Today, this ancient science is being rediscovered with the support of modern medicine.

Neuroscience research shows that music activates multiple areas of the brain simultaneously. A 2021 Harvard University study found that music therapy reduces chronic pain by 25%. Research from Istanbul University revealed that the sound of the ney regulates heart rhythm.

Music therapy sessions with children on the autism spectrum show promising results. At a special education center in Ankara, 8-year-old Efe, who received 6 months of therapy, showed 40% improvement in eye contact and communication skills. Similarly, a study with dementia patients in Izmir observed that old Turkish songs revive memory.

The therapeutic potential of Turkish music awaits discovery. The stress-reducing effects of Rast maqam and sleep-regulating properties of Hicaz maqam have been scientifically proven. TRT's 2022 "Maqam Therapy" project was an important step in this field. However, the lack of undergraduate programs training music therapists in Turkey creates a significant gap.

One of the most striking applications of music therapy is during childbirth. In a pilot study at an Istanbul maternity hospital, women who gave birth to specially selected music needed 30% less pain medication. The calming effect of traditional instruments like tambur and qanun was particularly notable.

Music therapy applications in cancer patients are also becoming increasingly common. Sessions at Ankara University Medical School significantly reduced nausea and anxiety in chemotherapy patients. 75% of patients reported feeling "more hopeful" after therapy.

The biggest obstacle to music therapy in Turkey is its lack of legal status. While recognized as an official profession in the US since 1944, in Turkey it's still considered "alternative medicine," hindering professionalization.

How can we benefit from music's healing power in daily life? Experts recommend listening to 10 minutes of instrumental music in the morning to start the day positively. In the evening, songs below 60 BPM facilitate sleep transition. When creating your own therapy playlist, be sure to include Turkish art music.

Music therapy isn't just for patients—it can also improve quality of life for healthy individuals. Weekly group music therapy sessions at an Istanbul company increased work productivity by 15%, with stress level decreases documented through surveys.

Is music truly a universal healing language? As Turkish neurologist Prof. Dr. Taner Yılmaz said: "Notes can be our soul's voice even when we can't speak." This might be the most beautiful expression of music's healing power.