Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
17 March 2009
05 February 2009
Disability Pride
My friends, as a community of unique people, it is a great source of encouragement to become aware that we are not alone in carving out a place for ourselves in this world. As a historian, I take inspiration and encouragement from finding links between the past and the present. It was therefore, a great pleasure to discover parallels between the creator of this website, and an even earlier pioneer of the movement for inclusion, noted architect, Frederick Law Olmsted.Karen took on the organized establishment, and their corrupting limitations about what was manageable and possible for a woman with cerebral palsy.
By learning to dance, fighting to earn a college degree, against overwhelming opposition, and refusing to settle for an isolated mediocre, she is restoring our hopes, and giving strength to our dreams.
Frederick Law Olmsted, himself a person with disability, as the result of an injury, had for the nineteenth century, an overwhelmingly progressive viewpoints on the role which people should play, in the lives of their community. He designed central park, in New York, and hundreds of others throughout the nation, as showplaces, "people’s parks" fully accessible, and open to all, an unheard of idea for the 1870’s!
Here, rich, and poor, young and old could spend time in rich surroundings in harmony. Leslie Fanelli’s masterwork "Promise of the Park" details his quest to build Central Park, and his commitment to providing gathering points, for people far more joyous than the graveyards, in which most of the people could gather on Sunday’s their one day off.
"Promise of the Park", details the story in musical format in Ms. Fanelli’s usually brilliant style. She shows through the teenage minds of Amy and Leslie her joint protagonists, what Olmstead saw as his vision, how he took on the ruling class of the glided age, to create an oasis of peace in the blusting city. Eighty five years before "Salient Spring", Olmstead had a holistic vision of environmental harmony, and conservation.
For a person of his disability to be active in this era, was unheard of. But Olmstead, like Karen dug in his heels, and remained true to his better self. I ask every reader of this blog, to give careful attention to my dear friend, Ms. Fanelli, as she shares a review of her fabulous work… Sean Dineen
"Disability Pride" is an exciting new music CD by Theatre in Motion! This beautiful, robust music appeals to not only the millions of folks with disabilities, but also to their families and friends. Musical Theatre that is intergenerational appealing! Anthems of the Disability Rights and Disability Pride Movements!
Broadway’s Harold Prince declared, "What a feel-good project . . . You and your colleagues deserve such praise."
The Honorable Judith Huemann wrote, "Beautiful music and history sung by disabled activists. This will be a wonderful addition to the Disability Studies movement. A great gift for anyone who likes good music."
Available at http://cdbaby.com/cd/theatreinmotion2
Theatre in Motion is an award-winning theatre company that features intergenerational creative and performing artists with and without disabilities–serving inclusive, intergenerational audiences.
Tracks for "Disability Pride"
1 Disability Rights
2 Disability Boogie Woogie
3 Lake Erie
4 My Wheelin’ Chair
5 History Of The ADA
6 We’ll Speak Out
7 Let’s Reach An Understanding
8 Rolling To Washington
9 Disability Rights (reprise)
15 December 2008
Big names record for music therapy centre
A couple of New Zealand’s biggest names have recorded a classic song in a bid to help a special therapy centre in Auckland.
Anika Moa and Opshop have recorded the Dave Dobbyn classic “Beside You” to raise funds for the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre.
It's New Zealand’s first music therapy centre, providing for special needs children of school age and younger.
It treats a variety of children who have mental disabilities. Its been found that music for many people, helps reduce a sense of isolation and creates new possibilities for participation in the world and a more creative life.
“(It) does amazing work helping children to communicate through music,” says Moa.
“I have always wanted to help kids using my music so when I was approached and asked to support this, I jumped at the chance. Recording and releasing a single was the obvious way to go.”
Opshop’s Jason Kerrison says the music industry is proud to support a charity that uses music to help connect with children who struggle to communicate through traditional means.
“It means a lot to us as artists and musicians to be able to raise the much needed funds,” Kerrison says. “The money raised through the sale of this single will go a long way in further funding much needed therapy.”
Singer and songwriter Hinewehi Mohi, her husband George and daughter Hineraukatauri, who has severe cerebral palsy, spent time at the Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy Centre in London in 1999.
They found music struck a chord for Hineraukatauri.
Upon their return to New Zealand, the family determined to establish a music therapy centre here. The dream was realised with the opening in early 2004 of the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre, now in Eden Terrace.
For more information, please visit http://www.rmtc.org.nz/.
Anika Moa and Opshop have recorded the Dave Dobbyn classic “Beside You” to raise funds for the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre.
It's New Zealand’s first music therapy centre, providing for special needs children of school age and younger.
It treats a variety of children who have mental disabilities. Its been found that music for many people, helps reduce a sense of isolation and creates new possibilities for participation in the world and a more creative life.
“(It) does amazing work helping children to communicate through music,” says Moa.
“I have always wanted to help kids using my music so when I was approached and asked to support this, I jumped at the chance. Recording and releasing a single was the obvious way to go.”
Opshop’s Jason Kerrison says the music industry is proud to support a charity that uses music to help connect with children who struggle to communicate through traditional means.
“It means a lot to us as artists and musicians to be able to raise the much needed funds,” Kerrison says. “The money raised through the sale of this single will go a long way in further funding much needed therapy.”
Singer and songwriter Hinewehi Mohi, her husband George and daughter Hineraukatauri, who has severe cerebral palsy, spent time at the Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy Centre in London in 1999.
They found music struck a chord for Hineraukatauri.
Upon their return to New Zealand, the family determined to establish a music therapy centre here. The dream was realised with the opening in early 2004 of the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre, now in Eden Terrace.
For more information, please visit http://www.rmtc.org.nz/.
11 December 2008
Music therapist brings harmony to disabled children and adults
For 30 minutes every Thursday afternoon, the music room is quiet except for the tickling of small fingers on the keyboard and the occasional giggle.
It doesn’t matter that cerebral palsy has compromised Madelynn Legge’s motor coordination. For those moments, the 5-year-old from Scituate sits on the piano bench or nods her head to the rhythmic tunes of the ivory keys. Horn, slide whistle and kazoo, she gets moving.
Eve Montague has taught Madelynn since she was 2 to use music as a way to improve coordination, gait and balance.
For the past four years, certified music therapist Montague has been using song and sound to open the world to disabled individuals at the Duxbury campus of the South Shore Conservatory.
Montague, 48, of Pembroke, uses music to create an environment where her students can explore their own world with freedom and safety.
“Music has been a pathway for those with communication barriers to find their voice and express their needs and wants,'' Montague said.
Madelynn can’t talk and finds it hard to produce enough sound to laugh, says her mother, Melanie Legge.
“Most people take laughing for granted,'' Legge said. “For our daughter, laughing occurs when her father does a running cannon ball into the swimming pool for the sheer delight of hearing Madelynn laugh.
“Eve has this same effect on Madelynn.''
That effect was evident from the start when Legge saw her daughter stand on her own for the first time, mesmerized by Montague and her music, almost forgetting about her lack of balance.
Patient and energetic, Montague pours her heart and soul into the 30-minute session, Legge says.
Rhonda Carson says her son Billy, 26, born with Down syndrome, didn’t play the piano before he began working with Montague.
Carson says Montague has Billy pick out a few songs on the keys and he sings now with more rhythm.
“When Billy sings with Eve, you can hear them all the way down the hall,'' Rhonda chuckles. “She brings out the music in him.''
Before coming to the conservatory, Montague spent 12 years as coordinator of the creative arts department at the Massachusetts Hospital School in Canton, a nonprofit servicing children with neuromuscular, progressive diseases.
It was there she developed a performing arts program and a music therapy internship program.
Montague says, “I was excited by the idea that the power of music could transcend learning challenges and help individuals lead as independent lives as possible.''
Montague said music helps people relax and reduce pain and anxiety. It also guides them to work within structure and demands. Montague tailors her teachings to suit each student’s needs.
Madelynn, who could not speak or walk, has developed into a steady walker who can even run.
“Music has helped organize her motor patterns,'' Montague says.
And the joy is not all Madelynn’s.
“I have the opportunity to witness the power of music as it opens new learning channels for those who struggle with more traditional forms of learning,'' Montague said.
“Seeing growth as an individual becomes more confident, empowered and independent in their life-long learning – and knowing I may have opened some doors for them – is truly powerful.''
It doesn’t matter that cerebral palsy has compromised Madelynn Legge’s motor coordination. For those moments, the 5-year-old from Scituate sits on the piano bench or nods her head to the rhythmic tunes of the ivory keys. Horn, slide whistle and kazoo, she gets moving.
Eve Montague has taught Madelynn since she was 2 to use music as a way to improve coordination, gait and balance.
For the past four years, certified music therapist Montague has been using song and sound to open the world to disabled individuals at the Duxbury campus of the South Shore Conservatory.
Montague, 48, of Pembroke, uses music to create an environment where her students can explore their own world with freedom and safety.
“Music has been a pathway for those with communication barriers to find their voice and express their needs and wants,'' Montague said.
Madelynn can’t talk and finds it hard to produce enough sound to laugh, says her mother, Melanie Legge.
“Most people take laughing for granted,'' Legge said. “For our daughter, laughing occurs when her father does a running cannon ball into the swimming pool for the sheer delight of hearing Madelynn laugh.
“Eve has this same effect on Madelynn.''
That effect was evident from the start when Legge saw her daughter stand on her own for the first time, mesmerized by Montague and her music, almost forgetting about her lack of balance.
Patient and energetic, Montague pours her heart and soul into the 30-minute session, Legge says.
Rhonda Carson says her son Billy, 26, born with Down syndrome, didn’t play the piano before he began working with Montague.
Carson says Montague has Billy pick out a few songs on the keys and he sings now with more rhythm.
“When Billy sings with Eve, you can hear them all the way down the hall,'' Rhonda chuckles. “She brings out the music in him.''
Before coming to the conservatory, Montague spent 12 years as coordinator of the creative arts department at the Massachusetts Hospital School in Canton, a nonprofit servicing children with neuromuscular, progressive diseases.
It was there she developed a performing arts program and a music therapy internship program.
Montague says, “I was excited by the idea that the power of music could transcend learning challenges and help individuals lead as independent lives as possible.''
Montague said music helps people relax and reduce pain and anxiety. It also guides them to work within structure and demands. Montague tailors her teachings to suit each student’s needs.
Madelynn, who could not speak or walk, has developed into a steady walker who can even run.
“Music has helped organize her motor patterns,'' Montague says.
And the joy is not all Madelynn’s.
“I have the opportunity to witness the power of music as it opens new learning channels for those who struggle with more traditional forms of learning,'' Montague said.
“Seeing growth as an individual becomes more confident, empowered and independent in their life-long learning – and knowing I may have opened some doors for them – is truly powerful.''
31 August 2008
My Cerebral Palsy doesn't stop my love of music
I was born with Spastic Cerebral Palsy and weighed in at 3 pounds 6 ounces. I was in a humidicrib from the moment I was born until I was 7 weeks old. Throughout my childhood I have had to face numerous Dr's visits, I've had three operations on my legs not mention many hours of physiotherapy, times in my life of which I hated. I was never told that everything was going to be okay whenever I went in to hospital either which has now left me with a phobia for the rest of my life. I don't trust many people when it comes to having treatment for my condition except for 3 people. These people have helped to feel secure and safe when it comes to having therapy. They make me laugh too which is so cool. I want them to know how much I appreciate their kindness and friendship.
Thanks heaps. Without you I wouldn’t be getting better!!!!!!!!!!
Special thanks must go the team at Canberra City Osteopathy. You Guys ARE BRILLIANT!
Thanks for helping me to get back on my feet and for helping in general in regards to all the aches and pains that I suffer from due to the Cerebral palsy.
THANKYOU!
The reason I have come to love my music is that it has helped to get by in life when nobody has been there to listen. I found that writing songs about the way that I think and feel on the inside has helped me and is still helping to recover from the emotional rollercoaster ride that I have been on ever since I was given life.
A lot people have said to me that I would never make it in the music industry but as far as I am concerned I am there already. Over the years I have gone to many concerts to see many of my favourite artists and bands who have believed in me and are continuing to do so.
One particular family I would like to thank is the Chambers family, the family of KC Chambers ( the dead ringer band). From the moment I met them, they were ever so nice to me and they never put me down cause of my ailment, they just see me for who I am and I thank them for that. They count me as a part of their family. They have supported with my music by giving advice on how to keep improving etc. Because of them I have come along in leaps and bounds and I thank and cherish them for that.
Thanks heaps. Without you I wouldn’t be getting better!!!!!!!!!!
Special thanks must go the team at Canberra City Osteopathy. You Guys ARE BRILLIANT!
Thanks for helping me to get back on my feet and for helping in general in regards to all the aches and pains that I suffer from due to the Cerebral palsy.
THANKYOU!
The reason I have come to love my music is that it has helped to get by in life when nobody has been there to listen. I found that writing songs about the way that I think and feel on the inside has helped me and is still helping to recover from the emotional rollercoaster ride that I have been on ever since I was given life.
A lot people have said to me that I would never make it in the music industry but as far as I am concerned I am there already. Over the years I have gone to many concerts to see many of my favourite artists and bands who have believed in me and are continuing to do so.
One particular family I would like to thank is the Chambers family, the family of KC Chambers ( the dead ringer band). From the moment I met them, they were ever so nice to me and they never put me down cause of my ailment, they just see me for who I am and I thank them for that. They count me as a part of their family. They have supported with my music by giving advice on how to keep improving etc. Because of them I have come along in leaps and bounds and I thank and cherish them for that.
26 July 2008
Sounds of Healing: Music Therapy
"Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast,
To soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak."
-William Congreve
Have you ever felt so overwhelmed by a mellifluous strain that tears have streamed down your eyes in a wave of catharsis? Or has a soulful melody opened the flood gates of old memories, to transport you back in time to a beautiful reverie? How often have you rocked your blues away listening to feet tapping music?
From infants to the infirm, music’s appeal is universal and nonpareil, wafting its way to the heart!
Dan Ellsey, a 33 year old cerebral palsy patient couldn’t agree with this more, for him music has become a novel way of expression. On his specially designed computer program called hyper score, Ellsey breaks into a composition to convey the innermost feelings in his heart. Just like Ellsey and for a many others, the repertoire of musical notes has helped convey a myriad of emotions, which words often fail to do.
The quintessence of communication, sound, is evident right from the instant of birth. A baby’s cry is endowed with a certain rhythm, pitch, intensity and purpose, to attract an appropriate response from the parents.
Our hearts beat to an internal rhythm. It is further believed that sounds influence the complete human energy system, increasing our response to them, which is perhaps one good reason why we are also called ‘musical beings’.
Music Therapy is "the prescribed use of music by a qualified person to effect positive changes in the psychological, physical, cognitive, or social functioning of individuals with health or educational problems" (American Music Therapy Association 1999).
Sound of Music in Medicine
The connection between music and healing dates back to the time of Plato and Aristotle when vibrations of sounds were employed to alleviate physical pain and relieve psychosomatic disorders.
Music therapy rose to prominence during World War I and World War II; at that time musicians were employed to render appropriate musical notes to alleviate mental trauma and physical pain to veterans of war. The response was so good that many hospitals began to employ musicians.
With the increasing popularity of music in medicine, the need for formal training in music therapy was felt. Thus, the first music therapy degree program was created in 1944 in Michigan State University. Many numbers of colleges have grown since then which enable degree programs in music therapy.
During the 1960’s, in Scandinavia and Britain, musical vibrations were used to heal. Popularly called as music baths, clients in Norway were bathed in sound and music.
The more recent form of music therapy called as vibroacoustic therapy, is an extension of music baths, where sound is transferred directly from the air into the body of the patient. Certain medical conditions like cerebral palsy, asthma, constipation, abdominal pain, and sleeplessness have responded well to the treatment.
Music therapy involves the methodical application of music by a qualified music therapist to treat psychological and physiological aspects of illnesses. It also lends itself as a diagnostic tool in locating developmental delays and psychological issues in children. Further, music therapy supports other forms of medical treatment.
Broadly music therapy is used to alleviate pain, control stress, build communication, assist in physical rehabilitation, enhance memory, and aid expression. The services of music therapists’ are sought in hospitals, mental health departments’ nursing homes, psychiatric rehabilitation centers, and schools.
Music learning is known to give an impetus to communication skills, so the services of music therapists are sought in schools for helping special learners. It also helps people with mental health problems understand their feelings better, and leads to positive changes in their mood, enabling better control over their lives.
Music also provides the background support for physical exercise and takes away boredom while performing routine chores. It can be employed for reducing stress even among healthy people.
Music therapists initially make an assessment of the person against a set of parameters which includes – cognitive skills, physical health, emotional health, and communicative abilities. The therapists tailor music to meet the specific health needs of the individuals, which also involves periodical evaluation and follow up.
Body Tunes into Melody
Wondered why a baby sleeps peacefully hearing a lullaby?
Human behavior is profoundly influenced by music, according to the book ‘Biomedical Foundations of Music as Therapy’ by Dale B. Taylor. According to Dale, the brain is absolutely captivated by music and this positive influence is transmitted to the rest of the body.
"Musicophilia”, a book by neurologist Dr. Oliver Sacks, tries to delve into a deeper understanding of the brain’s responses to music. Offering an explanation he says, “It’s unclear why humans are so uniquely sensitive to music - certainly music shares many features with spoken language, and our brains are particularly developed to process the rapid tones and segments of sound that are common to both."
It is said that the moment we hear a tune, deep breathing increases, which is a good way to beat stress. Music also reduces heart rate, and regulates the body temperature appropriate for relaxation to set in. Further, the body secretes more of serotonin, in response to music. This is perhaps why a lullaby calms the baby, soothing it to sleep.
Research Sings Paeans
"Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." -Red Auerbach
The state of ‘happiness’ while listening to a favorite number shows up in brain scans as evidence of positive response to music, report Scientists from the Montreal Neurological Institute. Appealing music is thought to titillate certain regions in the cortex of the brain, importantly regions associated with ‘thinking’. There have been many scientific studies that have enumerated the benefits of music therapy. Results of some of these are enlisted below:
• A 2001 study conducted on burn patients, whose burns required to be periodically scraped to lessen the formation of dead tissue, found that music therapy helped alleviate extreme pain occurring during the procedure.
• A 2007 endeavor by Cochrane Collaboration, studied the data from 51 ‘pain’ studies and it showed that music helped reduce pain and the requirement for narcotic drugs.
• Cochrane Collaboration also found the immense benefits of music therapy in the improvement of certain mental conditions, for instance schizophrenia.
• Premature infants who listened to lullabies were found to be quick in learning the art of ‘sucking’ which helped them gain weight faster, compared to preemies not exposed to the benefits of music therapy.
• Hospitalized children suffering cancer showed a boost in their immune system when they sang, played and listened to music as compared to children who were not exposed to music therapy according to Deforia Lane, director of music therapy at the Ireland Cancer Center in Cleveland. Stroke patients and music therapy for regaining speech: Music’s impact on the brain is certain, according to Dr. Gottfried Schlaug, chief of the Cerebrovascular Disorder Division and Stroke-Recovery Laboratory at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Dr. Schlaug found those suffering a stroke on the left side of the brain, with their speech centers damaged, responded very well to “melodic intonation therapy." Using two tones to sing and communicate this form of music therapy helped patients graduate into actual speech much faster than others.
• Paralysis and Music Therapy to regain gait: Music therapy has helped patients suffering partial paralysis to regain their gait, according to research from the Center for Biomedical Research in Music at Colorado State University. Walking to the rhythms of music, patients retrain to walk much faster than patients who were not exposed to music therapy for rehabilitation.
• Autistic children and music therapy: To understand how the autistic brain processes music, a new study is proposed to be conducted by Istvan Molnar-Szakacs, a researcher at the UCLA Tennenbaum Centre for the Biology of Creativity. Explaining the background of the study, Istvan Molnar-Szakacs said, "Music has long been known to touch autistic children. Studies from the early days of autism research have already shown us that music provokes engagement and interest in kids with ASD. More recently, such things as musical memory and pitch abilities in children with ASD have been found to be as good as or better than in typically developing children."
Healing is undoubtedly a divine manifestation of music. From ‘touching a chord’ to ‘touching a cure’ the world of medicine is swaying to the boundless repertoire of music. ‘Without music, life is a journey through a desert’, Pat Conroy said, and medicine agrees to it wholeheartedly!
To soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak."
-William Congreve
Have you ever felt so overwhelmed by a mellifluous strain that tears have streamed down your eyes in a wave of catharsis? Or has a soulful melody opened the flood gates of old memories, to transport you back in time to a beautiful reverie? How often have you rocked your blues away listening to feet tapping music?
From infants to the infirm, music’s appeal is universal and nonpareil, wafting its way to the heart!
Dan Ellsey, a 33 year old cerebral palsy patient couldn’t agree with this more, for him music has become a novel way of expression. On his specially designed computer program called hyper score, Ellsey breaks into a composition to convey the innermost feelings in his heart. Just like Ellsey and for a many others, the repertoire of musical notes has helped convey a myriad of emotions, which words often fail to do.
The quintessence of communication, sound, is evident right from the instant of birth. A baby’s cry is endowed with a certain rhythm, pitch, intensity and purpose, to attract an appropriate response from the parents.
Our hearts beat to an internal rhythm. It is further believed that sounds influence the complete human energy system, increasing our response to them, which is perhaps one good reason why we are also called ‘musical beings’.
Music Therapy is "the prescribed use of music by a qualified person to effect positive changes in the psychological, physical, cognitive, or social functioning of individuals with health or educational problems" (American Music Therapy Association 1999).
Sound of Music in Medicine
The connection between music and healing dates back to the time of Plato and Aristotle when vibrations of sounds were employed to alleviate physical pain and relieve psychosomatic disorders.
Music therapy rose to prominence during World War I and World War II; at that time musicians were employed to render appropriate musical notes to alleviate mental trauma and physical pain to veterans of war. The response was so good that many hospitals began to employ musicians.
With the increasing popularity of music in medicine, the need for formal training in music therapy was felt. Thus, the first music therapy degree program was created in 1944 in Michigan State University. Many numbers of colleges have grown since then which enable degree programs in music therapy.
During the 1960’s, in Scandinavia and Britain, musical vibrations were used to heal. Popularly called as music baths, clients in Norway were bathed in sound and music.
The more recent form of music therapy called as vibroacoustic therapy, is an extension of music baths, where sound is transferred directly from the air into the body of the patient. Certain medical conditions like cerebral palsy, asthma, constipation, abdominal pain, and sleeplessness have responded well to the treatment.
Music therapy involves the methodical application of music by a qualified music therapist to treat psychological and physiological aspects of illnesses. It also lends itself as a diagnostic tool in locating developmental delays and psychological issues in children. Further, music therapy supports other forms of medical treatment.
Broadly music therapy is used to alleviate pain, control stress, build communication, assist in physical rehabilitation, enhance memory, and aid expression. The services of music therapists’ are sought in hospitals, mental health departments’ nursing homes, psychiatric rehabilitation centers, and schools.
Music learning is known to give an impetus to communication skills, so the services of music therapists are sought in schools for helping special learners. It also helps people with mental health problems understand their feelings better, and leads to positive changes in their mood, enabling better control over their lives.
Music also provides the background support for physical exercise and takes away boredom while performing routine chores. It can be employed for reducing stress even among healthy people.
Music therapists initially make an assessment of the person against a set of parameters which includes – cognitive skills, physical health, emotional health, and communicative abilities. The therapists tailor music to meet the specific health needs of the individuals, which also involves periodical evaluation and follow up.
Body Tunes into Melody
Wondered why a baby sleeps peacefully hearing a lullaby?
Human behavior is profoundly influenced by music, according to the book ‘Biomedical Foundations of Music as Therapy’ by Dale B. Taylor. According to Dale, the brain is absolutely captivated by music and this positive influence is transmitted to the rest of the body.
"Musicophilia”, a book by neurologist Dr. Oliver Sacks, tries to delve into a deeper understanding of the brain’s responses to music. Offering an explanation he says, “It’s unclear why humans are so uniquely sensitive to music - certainly music shares many features with spoken language, and our brains are particularly developed to process the rapid tones and segments of sound that are common to both."
It is said that the moment we hear a tune, deep breathing increases, which is a good way to beat stress. Music also reduces heart rate, and regulates the body temperature appropriate for relaxation to set in. Further, the body secretes more of serotonin, in response to music. This is perhaps why a lullaby calms the baby, soothing it to sleep.
Research Sings Paeans
"Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." -Red Auerbach
The state of ‘happiness’ while listening to a favorite number shows up in brain scans as evidence of positive response to music, report Scientists from the Montreal Neurological Institute. Appealing music is thought to titillate certain regions in the cortex of the brain, importantly regions associated with ‘thinking’. There have been many scientific studies that have enumerated the benefits of music therapy. Results of some of these are enlisted below:
• A 2001 study conducted on burn patients, whose burns required to be periodically scraped to lessen the formation of dead tissue, found that music therapy helped alleviate extreme pain occurring during the procedure.
• A 2007 endeavor by Cochrane Collaboration, studied the data from 51 ‘pain’ studies and it showed that music helped reduce pain and the requirement for narcotic drugs.
• Cochrane Collaboration also found the immense benefits of music therapy in the improvement of certain mental conditions, for instance schizophrenia.
• Premature infants who listened to lullabies were found to be quick in learning the art of ‘sucking’ which helped them gain weight faster, compared to preemies not exposed to the benefits of music therapy.
• Hospitalized children suffering cancer showed a boost in their immune system when they sang, played and listened to music as compared to children who were not exposed to music therapy according to Deforia Lane, director of music therapy at the Ireland Cancer Center in Cleveland. Stroke patients and music therapy for regaining speech: Music’s impact on the brain is certain, according to Dr. Gottfried Schlaug, chief of the Cerebrovascular Disorder Division and Stroke-Recovery Laboratory at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Dr. Schlaug found those suffering a stroke on the left side of the brain, with their speech centers damaged, responded very well to “melodic intonation therapy." Using two tones to sing and communicate this form of music therapy helped patients graduate into actual speech much faster than others.
• Paralysis and Music Therapy to regain gait: Music therapy has helped patients suffering partial paralysis to regain their gait, according to research from the Center for Biomedical Research in Music at Colorado State University. Walking to the rhythms of music, patients retrain to walk much faster than patients who were not exposed to music therapy for rehabilitation.
• Autistic children and music therapy: To understand how the autistic brain processes music, a new study is proposed to be conducted by Istvan Molnar-Szakacs, a researcher at the UCLA Tennenbaum Centre for the Biology of Creativity. Explaining the background of the study, Istvan Molnar-Szakacs said, "Music has long been known to touch autistic children. Studies from the early days of autism research have already shown us that music provokes engagement and interest in kids with ASD. More recently, such things as musical memory and pitch abilities in children with ASD have been found to be as good as or better than in typically developing children."
Healing is undoubtedly a divine manifestation of music. From ‘touching a chord’ to ‘touching a cure’ the world of medicine is swaying to the boundless repertoire of music. ‘Without music, life is a journey through a desert’, Pat Conroy said, and medicine agrees to it wholeheartedly!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)