Kinshasa, June 2nd, 2025 (CPA)– The virtues of music and its therapeutic and cognitive functions were highlighted on Monday by two experts in the field from the Democratic Republic of Congo, in an interview with the CPA, to enlighten opinion on their necessity in health care. ‘There is a whole branch of medicine called music therapy, which encourages people to listen to music on a regular basis, as it helps to reduce stress, stimulate motivation and soothe certain physical or emotional pains’, said Michée Kanda, a doctor specializing in public health. This specialist recommended incorporating music into various relaxation approaches, highlighting its beneficial effects on sleep, anxiety and overall well-being. Joel Vuningoma, an expert in musicology, agreed, pointing out that music is more than just entertainment: it has many unsuspected benefits. Music has therapeutic, cognitive and social virtues, but these are often overlooked. He believes that listening to music regularly can reduce stress and boost motivation. ‘It should therefore be integrated into various approaches. Intellectually, music boosts creativity, revives memories and improves memory, particularly in children and the elderly. It activates deep areas of the brain linked to emotions and memory’, he emphasized. For this expert, music also has an important social role to play, as it makes people more sociable, fosters empathy in children and strengthens community ties. ‘Music is a universal language that allows people to connect with others. It helps people sleep better, especially when used regularly in a calm, relaxing environment’, explained Joël Vuningoma.
Integrating music into daily routines in the DRC
In view of these multiple benefits, Joël Vuningoma also encouraged the people of his country to incorporate music into their daily routine, as a genuine tool for well-being. ‘Music is the art of combining sounds in a harmonious and expressive way. It uses elements such as rhythm, melody and harmony to convey emotions, tell stories or simply provide listening pleasure. It can be vocal, instrumental or both, and varies according to culture, period and style,’ he concluded.