An unexplored history of music therapy: The medicinal use of makams in the Ottoman era as a psychological tool.

The origins of music therapy for psychiatric treatment are typically traced back to the mid-20th century, following World War II, and even further back to post-Renaissance Europe and ancient Greece within contemporary literature. However, these historical works often rely on philosophical and theological sources outside the medical field and do not address actual therapeutic practices. This article aims to rectify this oversight by shedding light on the unexplored realm of Ottoman music therapy (OMT) during the early modern Islamic period (ca. 14th-18th centuries). By delving into the utilization of OMT as a treatment for psychiatric disorders, this study seeks to provide valuable insights into the missing therapeutic practices of the era. We demonstrate how Ottoman physicians used music as a medical tool to target illnesses and restore health by prescribing makams (i.e., melodic modes) and implementing music as a treatment modality within hospitals (i.e., maristans). Gaining insight into the OMT theories and practices is necessary to bridge a significant gap in the chronology of contemporary music therapy. Furthermore, the resurgence of makams (also spelled as maqams, makām, or maqām) by the Ottomans in contemporary times has the potential to diversify the range of therapeutic modalities available within the clinical sphere. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).