Music therapy uses music to address physical, emotional, and cognitive needs. Through activities like listening, playing instruments, dancing, or singing, it helps reduce stress, manage pain, and improve memory and communication. This therapeutic approach is tailored to individuals and is used in various settings, including clinical environments and rehabilitation centers.
Music therapy can be used for a number of issues that are widely found primarily in the senior citizen community. It can help build muscle, improve coordination, and has even shown that it can have a positive impact on those with dementia. It is sometimes used to help supplement physical therapy, which is what today’s topic covers.
Recently, a team of researchers looked at a specific type of music therapy called the Ronnie Gardiner Method. This specific type of therapy revolves around movement that is based on music. They found that this method has a positive impact on the recovery of stroke patients and other individuals that are suffering from brain disorders.
Music therapy can be a good addition to physical therapy for those recovering from a stroke.
The Ronnie Gardiner Method is based on a system devised by the Swedish-American drummer of the same name. It’s been widely used all over the world, but there isn’t a lot of research on it at this point in time. This study hoped to rectify that so that this method could get the attention that is needed to validate or discredit its efficacy.
The team was quick to say that this is not a replacement for physical therapy. Rather, they view it as an enhancement exercise to help give patients the best chance of a full recovery as possible.
The research shows that there is a positive effect upon the brain when rhythm and movement are combined. Music therapy doesn’t necessarily need to mean dance–but this certainly can be effective based upon the findings of this study.
One of the key components to the efficacy of music therapy is that it is far more closely aligned with play than it is therapy. It is work–and is often painful–just like physical therapy. However, because it is fun, it is not always viewed with the same begrudging attitude. This can often help it to be more helpful.
This research comes out of the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. The team published its findings in the journal, Disability and Rehabilitation. Hopefully, this is just the first of many projects that focus on this method, improving it, and using it to improve the lives of those that can benefit from it. There’s always more research needed on this front.
If you or a loved one are recovering from a stroke, grappling with physical limitations or disability, or otherwise finding it more difficult to get through each day without help, there are resources that can help you. We are one of those resources. Paradise In-Home Care specializes in meeting the needs of seniors in the San Francisco Bay Area right where they are. We offer free consultations that are designed to answer questions, get you pointed in the right direction, and help you to feel more confident that you have the information that you need to make informed and helpful decisions.
If you would like to talk more with one of our professional caregivers, please feel free to reach out to us today.
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