What does Music Therapy for neuro-rehab involve?
Music therapy makes clinical use of music to help improve the health and wellbeing of individuals, ranging from communication to motor skills to relaxation. Music therapy can also be widely used within neurorehabilitation, with research evidencing how music activates cognitive, motor and speech in the brain, facilitating and stimulating neuroplasticity. This benefits individuals with neurological conditions such as; traumatic brain injury, stroke, coma recovery, autism, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis (BIA USA). These conditions can all benefit from music therapy in areas such as movement, communication and memory. Music therapy works closely with neuro rehab, with the key ability of being able to engage the brain's system, innately supporting the improvement of someone's neuro development and the outward quality of life they experience because of this condition (Siponkoski et al 2021).
Setting the Tone: Goals of Music Therapy in Neurorehabilitation
Musical stimulation techniques can help aid a variety of recovery's, focusing on the physical, communication, cognitive and psychological categories of rehabilitation. For example, singing familiar songs can help enhance speech pronunciation, projection and articulation whilst also enabling emotional expression, with the goal of aiding the individual with coming to terms with their current situation and aiding in their mental as well as physical health. Music therapy also uses rhythmic patterns in order to develop physical strength and coordination, ultimately improving the motor function of the individual (Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability). Each of these goals are established by a multi-disciplinary team and are based and tailored on to each individual's needs and rehabilitation objectives.
Beyond the Melody: Tools and Instruments Used in Music Therapy
Frequently used instruments within music therapy for neurorehabilitation consist of a variety of apparatuses, all with beneficial ramifications for individuals. These include handheld percussions, such as frog guiros and boomwhackers, which establish rhythms and maintain the use of gross motor skills within practice. A popular device are maracas, always eliciting a smile and confidence from individuals undergoing this specific art therapy. The drums are also a widely used instrument, resonating with a familiar tune for many, and from a linguistic standpoint allows for turn taking which is a vital notion that aids in increasing their nonverbal communication skills and in interaction with other people. There are many other instruments used, such as pianos, guitars and tambourines, and all are intended to evoke a steady rhythm to people's rehabilitation (Stain 2019). Physical instruments aren't the only tools used within music therapy for neurorehabilitation, with some individuals participating in singing, listening or discussing music and even song writing.
Sound Science: The Neuroscience Behind Music Therapy
The neuroscience behind music therapy has outstanding effects on individuals undergoing neurorehabilitation, concerned with the brain and how global activation is achieved when listening to music. For example, music can support cognitive difficulties by the fact that musical memories are stored and retrieved differently to verbal memories and by adding a rhythm/ melody this information can be made easier to retain and remember. This has significant benefits for attention and memory recall, increasing the individual's sense of independence also. Neurological Music Therapy can also support the rehabilitation of functioning speech as when we sing, we engage the right hemisphere of our brain, with our language center being on the left hemisphere, engaging both in this method (Lea & LoCoco). There is also evidence that suggests that music can decrease seizure frequency, stop refractory status epilepticus and decrease electroencephalographic spike frequency in children with epilepsy in awake and sleep states, focusing more on the sensorimotor aspect of neuroscience behind music therapy (Trimble & Hesdorffer 2017).
Striking a Chord: Real Success Stories in Music Therapy
A heartwarming success story of young Antonio evidences the impact music therapy has on individuals and its importance in the involvement of neurorehabilitation. Antonio was diagnosed with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), which caused his immune system to be extremely weak and meant he was typically in isolation in hospitals. Music therapy significantly impacted his routine and capabilities and confidence, decreasing isolation and managing his stress and anxiety surrounding interacting with others, especially with professionals. He created original music with a ukelele, drum and guitar and this also not only aided with his rehabilitation journey but in normalizing the hospital environment that he was often placed in (CHOC 2020).
Starting Your Journey: Is Music Therapy Right for You?
In summary, music therapy for neurorehabilitation involves patient tailored sessions, by use of a plethora of instruments, to increase and develop a person's physical, cognitive and communicative skills. With the goal of supporting coordination, attention skills, mental health, upper limb strength, memory recall and more, depending on the person's needs. Music therapy is widely accessible and does not require the individual to have any musical ability to get involved.
References
BIA USA. (N/A). Neurologic Music Therapy in Neurorehabilitation. Brain Injury Association Of America. https://www.biausa.org/public-affairs/media/neurologic-music-therapy-in-neurorehabilitation#:~:text=The%20therapy%20is%20based%20on,Other%20dementias%20and%20neurologic%20conditions
CHOC. (2020). The benefits of music therapy: Antonio’s story. https://health.choc.org/the-benefits-of-music-therapy-antonios-story/#:~:text=Some%20of%20Antonio's%20goals%20for,'t%20leave%20their%20rooms.%E2%80%9D
Lea, James. & LoCoco, Irene. (N/A). TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH MUSIC - THE NEUROSCIENCE BEHIND MUSIC THERAPY. Yamaha Music Europe Hub. https://hub.europe.yamaha.com/article/transforming-lives-through-music---the-neuroscience-behind-music-therapy-
Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability. (N/A). Music Therapy. https://www.rhn.org.uk/what-makes-us-special/services/music-therapy/
Siponkoski, S. T., Koskinen, S., Laitinen, S., Holma, M., Ahlfors, M., Jordan-Kilkki, P., … Särkämö, T. (2021). Effects of neurological music therapy on behavioral and emotional recovery after traumatic brain injury: A randomized controlled cross-over trial. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 32(7), 1356–1388. https://doi.org/10.1080/09602011.2021.1890138
Stain, A. (2019). Top 7 Instruments in Music Therapy. Music Therapy Works. https://www.musictherapyworks.co.uk/top-7-instruments-in-music-therapy
Trimble M, Hesdorffer D. Music and the brain: the neuroscience of music and musical appreciation. BJPsych Int. 2017 May 1;14(2):28-31. doi: 10.1192/s2056474000001720. PMID: 29093933; PMCID: PMC5618809.