The programme curriculum was being considered for final approval by the university's council and was expected be finished in time to open for admissions by the next semester, said Asst Prof Dr Panya Kaimuk, a lecturer with Mahidol's College of Music and the programme director.

After having been initially rejected by the university's council, the new graduate programme had recently undergone a minor adjustment to its curriculum and resubmitted for consideration, he said.

Over the past few years, music therapy has become increasingly popular in private hospitals, rehabilitation centres, holistic healthcare facilities, spas and hotels, he said. As a result, the demand for qualified therapists had risen dramatically, he added.

Many large state hospitals now offered music therapy to patients with certain ailments including those with chronic diseases with persistent pain.

Siriraj Hospital had pioneered the therapy in Thailand, said Panya.

There was also growing evidence that music therapy helped patients with dementia such as Alzheimer's disease, as they were able to recall memories after receiving proper music therapy, he told the Siriraj Hospital Medical Conference yesterday.

Several foreign studies showed that a technique called "guided imagery and music" in which a dementia patient was played a favourite piece of music of the past - or told old stories - helped

recall his or her memories, said Panya.

In some other ailments, like an upset stomach, the symptoms could be effectively improved with the right choice of music therapy, he said.

In this case, "vibro-acoustic music" was used as vibrating bass could render effects on gasses in the stomach.

These were part of what prospective graduate students of Mahidol's music therapy programme would be expected to know, said Panya.

The programme could accommodate about 20 students, he said, adding it would be open to applicants from all disciplines.

Arthit Khwankhom

The Nation