Today, with the help of modern imaging techniques, the effect of musical sounds on the human brain and the neurobiological basis of musical emotion are studied. Several researchers also study the effect of music on fundamental biochemical mechanisms related to psychosomatic stress and the functioning of our immune system. The majority of these studies demonstrate that music intervention, either as listening to selected music or as experiential music therapy, can reduce stress and the sense of pain, and can also substitute analgesic or anesthetic drugs.

This book collects texts based on lectures and publications by Thanasis Dritsas during his scientific activity in the field (1997-2018). This edition is honored by the participation of two internationally recognized researchers in the field of music therapy in medicine: Dr. Fred Schwartz, Anesthesiologist and Music Therapist, Piedmont Hospital, Atlanta, USA, and Cheryl Dileo, PhD, Professor of Music Therapy, Temple University, Philadelphia, USA.

The book is addressed to the general public as well as to the specialized reader who is interested in approaching medical music therapy through the provided bibliographic documentation.