top of page
Wheelchair

Rehabilitation

scroll

Music also acts as a beneficial aid to both physical and mental rehabilitation

Physical Rehabilitation

     Unilateral spatial neglect (USN) is a deficit of attention on one side of the body and appears after a cerebral stroke (commonly the right hemisphere of the brain). Although the attention deficit has a number of auditory deficiency many rehabilitation programs only use tactile or visual rehabilitation methods. BV went through three different rehabilitation tests within the program, percussion which presented a number of different percussion instruments BV could choose from. This test challenged her free expression and cognitive rhythm intelligence.

During the test, BV had to explore the pads from right to left and vice versa. In the second part of the test, BV was asked to listen to a sequence and then recreate that sequence using the four pads placed in front of her. After correctly recreating the sequence another was presented to her. To conclude the test, BV was allowed to play the pads freely for 3 minutes; if she stopped she was encouraged to continue. Other tests such as the bell test which consisted of a sheet of paper BV has to circle 35 bells mixed with 280 distractors, and the line test which asked BV to bisect eight lines. 

     After the program, BV improved her use of both sides of her body, breaking the habit of using one side and reported improvement in her everyday life.BV took up woodworking which was a past hobby of hers and was unable to conduct prior to the rehabilitation program. Her creative expression also improved tremendously, at the beginning BV would only hit 150 of the piano pads to create an original pattern during a three-minute session by the end of the rehabilitation program she was able to hit 300 of the pads to create an original pattern in three minutes. 

​

​

The best part is, BV was not even interested in music!

Drug Abuse

An example of the mental aspect is when music therapy is added to substance abuse programs. Many substances were explored such as LSD, alcohol, cocaine, heroin, etc. a variety of benefits for patients were experienced. These include improved internal locus of control and a higher mood associated with the improvement of internal locus of control. The majority of participants said they “felt” the music during a music therapy session and preferred slow ballads and love songs (music presentation during LSD therapy). During sessions, music helped find alternatives to the use of substances that and enabled contact with inner feelings (In and Outpatient rehabilitation unit). High percentages of decreased anxiety, depression, anger, and sadness were presented (Inpatient dual diagnostic treatment unit). As well as improved psychiatry, spirituality, and physical and functional well-being (Outpatient setting Native Americans 'Alcohol’). Patients reported music therapy to be very helpful and resulted in an increase in seeking spiritual support, positive imagery, and self-reliance (Outpatient recovery Canada) (Adolescent outpatient psychological treatment, inherent abuse, a case study ‘USA’). Other improvements in a group setting include increased discussion on important issues, nostalgia stimulated by music and close interaction with other group members (such as learning about each other or problem solving). Music “guided” the patient’s experience through therapy sessions (found in rehabilitation programs for the substance LSD), and the new element encouraged consistent attendance among group members. In general, Patients show a large amount of readiness to recover, a decrease in depression, an increase in sobriety, improved Locus of Control, improved client cooperation, increased drug avoidance, and self-efficiency. Patients also have an increase in problem recognition and motivation. 

bottom of page