I realize I have been talking quite a bit about the brain, and not as much about music and how it relates to the brain!
While certain functions and senses of the human body are controlled by one or a few particular areas, music overlaps multiple systems across the entire brain. It engages motor, sensory, auditory, and visual cortices, as well as centers for behavior, decision-making, emotion, and memory. I find the diagram below particularly insightful.
Music affects components throughout the entire brain. So what? The real value of this knowledge lies in our ability to apply it practically. This is what neurologic music therapy does; it uses these neuroscience principles to treat people suffering from neurological injuries and disorders such as dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, epilepsy, brain tumors and aneurysms, and stroke. It has been proven to improve strength, motor coordination, cardiorespiratory fitness, gait, memory, attention, verbal expression, and motivation, as well as provide an outlet for self-expression and a source of enjoyment.
For the purpose of this project, the sessions I attend with the Neurological Music Therapy Services of Arizona involve primarily patients with Alzheimer's, Dementia, and Parkinson's. This way, I can understand the physiological mechanisms of these neurodegenerative diseases as well as how individuals can heal using music as a treatment.
Until next time!
I cant wait to hear all about your time with patients at Music Therapy! Of course, music has various effects on each individual. How are you going to evaluate and define the specific effects of music on these patients?
ReplyDeleteI plan to make my own observations, interview the therapists, and research people's experiences with music therapy. In just two weeks I have already observed changes in client's behaviors and movements when participating in music therapy and will see much more throughout the rest of my project!
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