What is Music Therapy?
An established healthcare profession that uses music to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals of all ages.
Music interventions are used to reach functional, nonmusical goals.
It is not simply listening to or playing music. The therapist chooses each technique to address functional outcomes.
Research in music therapy supports its effectiveness in a wide variety of healthcare and education settings.
Neurologic Music Therapy
The therapeutic application of music to cognitive, sensory and motor dysfunctions due to neurologic disease of the human nervous system.
Based on a neuroscience model of music perception and production, and the influence of music on functional changes in non musical brain and behavior functions.
Uses standardized techniques based on scientific research of music and the brain.

Goal Areas:

• To improve the quality of life.
• To assist with pain management.
• To improve/maintain range of motion.
• To provide sensory stimulation and reality orientation.
• To improve breath support and/o respiratory function.
• To encourage self-expression.
• To decrease anxiety and depression.
• To assist with activities of daily living and compensatory training.
• To improve relaxation/stress management.
• To provide a non-threatening medium for patients and their families to discuss difficult topics.

Techniques Utilized

• Clinical improvisational experiences
• Songwriting experiences

Relaxation techniques
Therapeutic Instrumental Music Performance
Therapeutic Singing
Oral Motor and Respiratory Exercises
Patterned Sensory Equipment
Musical Mnemonics Training