Neurologic Music Therapy and Parkinson’s

I was invited to speak at a Parkinson’s support group at the Murrieta Senior Center last week, and I am so grateful for the experience. There was a great turnout, and those who were there couldn’t have been a better audience. We did vocal warmups, played instruments, and discussed music therapy and its benefits specifically for people who have Parkinson’s Disease.

I used music interventions to illustrate four examples of Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT), a specific method for people who have diseases that affect the central nervous system.

What a great crowd - happy to pose for a picture at the end of our time together!

The four examples that I shared included the following:

1. Patterned Sensory Enhancement (PSE)

   • Music Therapist (MT) uses live music to coordinate movements of client while exercising - working on gross and fine motor skills.

2. Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS)

   • MT uses rhythmic entrainment to help client improve gait.

3. Therapeutic Singing

   • MT provides vocal and breathing exercises as well as singing familiar songs to improve client’s clarity of speech, projection, and breath support.

4. Therapeutic Instrumental Music Performance (TIMP)

   • MT offers percussion instrument playing to help client strengthen movement and improve balance.

Four examples of NMT include Patterned Sensory Enhancement, Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation, Therapeutic Singing, and Therapeutic Instrumental Music Performance.

Though much of our discussion centered around music therapy and its effectiveness in managing symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease, we also talked about the importance of self-care for family members and caregivers. Caring for someone with Parkinson’s is a difficult journey, but when utilizing the support and resources available, it becomes much more manageable. We discussed ways to implement music into a daily routine to increase motivation, provide relaxation, or interact with their loved ones.

I mentioned in a previous blog post that I worked with a choir consisting of people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers. The people I met in that choir were incredibly grateful and gracious, and I was struck by the joy that they emanated. I experienced that same positive and joyful environment when speaking in Murrieta. Though we may not have control over our circumstances, we can choose how to embrace our unique journey, and I am grateful for experiencing that joy and gratitude once again!

Thank you, Gayle, for inviting me to speak at the Parkinson’s Support Group last week. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting everyone and having the opportunity to share about music therapy and Parkinson’s Disease!