From Neurochemistry to Rehabilitation: How Does Music Modify the Functioning of the Human Body?

Background: In light of the rising prevalence of lifestyle diseases, including progressive dementia, chronic pain, and cardiovascular disease, conventional drug therapy frequently entails adverse effects and is often ineffective in enhancing quality of life. Recent advancements in neuroimaging technology, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), have provided substantial evidence to support the notion that music constitutes a potent biological stimulus, capable of inducing significant alterations in brain structures. Aim: The aim of this article is to present a synthetic overview of current knowledge on the impact of sound stimuli on specific areas of health and to indicate the clinical potential of their regular use in the process of modern rehabilitation. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive review of the extant scientific literature and meta-analyses, primarily published between 2015 and 2025, was conducted. The analysis encompassed studies which focus on mechanisms such as musical memory preservation in neurodegeneration, non-pharmacological analgesia and the phenomenon of biological rhythm synchronization (entrainment). Results: Research has demonstrated that in patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, the regions of the brain associated with musical memory exhibit significantly less atrophy compared to those involved in episodic memory. This finding suggests that music can serve as a stabilising "anchor" in communication, thereby reducing anxiety. In the context of pain management, the mechanism of musical analgesia has been substantiated. The activation of descending pain inhibition pathways, concomitant with the release of endogenous opioids, engenders a reduction in analgesic doses. Moreover, research has demonstrated that synchronising the heart rate with the tempo of music facilitates non-pharmacological stabilisation of heart rate and blood pressure Conclusions: Music has been demonstrated to be a safe and cost-effective method of supporting rehabilitation (Smith, 2020). The impact of regular sound stimulation on the nervous and endocrine systems is quantifiable. It has been demonstrated that such stimulation supports cognitive function in people with dementia and optimises the recovery process by reducing pain and physiological stress.