Holistic Music Therapy and Rehabilitation

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Holistic Music Therapy and Rehabilitation

• Jennifer Townsend NMT, MT-BC
• Neurologic Music Therapist
• Music Therapist-Board Certified
• The National Flute Association
• August 15, 2009

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From Social Science to Neuroscience

• MT as a social science model is based on
  interpretations of the cultural role of music to
  provide facilitation for concepts of well being.
• MT as a neuroscience model is based on how music
  perception and production engage the brain in
  ways that translate to non-musical learning and
  training.
• Combined approach lends itself to a holistic
  model of practice. Using the music as an
  expression of self and allowing its power to
  energise, balance and harmonise.

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How the Model Works

• Similarities are found between musical and
  nonmusical behaviors
• Research explores the effects of related music
  behaviors on non-music behaviors
• Results serve as basis for clinical practice

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Foundational Ideas

• Music has been shown to alter mood, enhance
  memory, and promote creativity.
• Implications music can play the role of
  motivator, reminding one of hope and possibility.
  
• Research indicates that music, a time-based,
  structured form of input reorganizes synaptic
  connections
• Implications music can be utilized to
  intentionally alter cognitive, affective, and
  motoric responses.

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Music-Brain Connections

• Rhythmic Entrainment
• physics phenomenon of resonance in which two
  oscillating bodies lock into phase so that they
  vibrate in harmony, synchronizing rhythms
• Priming of auditory pathways
• refers to an increased sensitivity to certain
  stimuli due to prior experience. Because priming
  it believed to occur outside of conscious
  awareness, it is different from memory that
  relies on the direct retrieval of information.
• Cueing of movement period
• a sensory signal used to identify experiences,
  facilitate memory, or organize responses.

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In Practice

• Non-musical behaviors assessed
• Music assessment is conducted
• Non-musical interventions are shared through
  collaboration with team
• Goals and objectives are established
• Non-musical goals and interventions translated to
  musical interventions using research-based
  techniques
• Music faded and learning transferred to
  therapeutic outcomes.

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Patterned Sensory Enhancement

• Uses the rhythmic, melodic, harmonic, and
  dynamic-acoustical patterns of music to provide
  temporal, spatial, and force cues to structure
  and regulate functional movements. The
  auditory-musical patterns or kinematic
  compositions are derived from translating all
  components of the kinematic patterns of the
  movement in space, time and force into sound
  patterns.

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Therapeutic Applications

• Spatial Cueing
• Pitch
• Sound Duration (articulation)
• Harmony

• Temporal Cueing
• Tempo
• Meter
• Rhythmic Patterning
• Form

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Therapeutic Applications continued

• Force Cueing
• Loudness
• Timbre
• Tempo

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Vocal Intonation Therapy

• Techniques in VIT address issues in the rehab of
  voice disorders. Musical vocalization through
  singing, breathing, and other vocal control
  exercises, is directed at training all aspects of
  voice control.

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Therapeutic Applications

• Relaxation exercises of the head, neck, and upper
  trunk
• Breathing exercises
• Phonation exercises
• Intonation and Singing exercises
• Accompanying vocal exercises on an instrument
  provides time cues, support, regulation of
  tension and relaxation, and motivation.

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Oral Motor and Respiratory Exercises

• OMREX refers to the use of musical materials and
  exercises to enhance articulatory control and
  respiratory strength and function of the speech
  apparatus.
• Research shows that rhythmic entrainment of
  respiratory function through music is possible.

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Therapeutic Applications

• Playing wind instruments such as flutes,
  recorder, or kazoos can strengthen and build
  awareness of the speech muscles at the same time
  it strengthens respiratory control and
  cardiopulmonary functions.
• Other exercises may include sound production of
  different speech phonemes, vowels, and
  consonants.

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Music Therapy Resources

• www.cbmt.org
• www.musictherapy.org
• www.musictherapyworld.de
• Center for Biomedical Research in Music
  www.colostate.edu/dept/cbrm/
• Jennifer Townsend NMT, MT-BC
• jennifer.shoemaker_at_setonpediatric.org
• 646-459-3440