A Review of Sound Therapy with Special Reference to Singing Bowls and Gongs in Clinical and Wellness Settings

Abstract

Sound therapy is attracting the attention of the medical profession because it provides a simple, non-invasive, and potentially cost-effective intervention to promote relaxation and well-being. Sound healing is a term used to describe the practice of intentionally using sound and listening to it in a concentrated way, and the purpose is to facilitate the body's natural healing process. Sound is a vibroacoustic event, and despite being used for healing for centuries, its medical applications are less well known. This narrative review summarizes the key concepts, clinical evidence, and applications of sound therapy in an accessible way for the general public and patients. It explores the potential use of sound therapy for stress reduction, anxiety, insomnia, pain, emotional distress, and some neurological symptoms. The review also outlines the origins of sound healing, the physics of vibration and resonance, and how different sound therapy techniques, such as singing bowls, gongs, chanting, vocal exercises, tuning forks, and musical interventions, differ from each other. Current evidence indicates that sound therapy might be beneficial as an adjunct therapy, particularly in environments where relaxation and emotional support are required.