COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Since
1996, the Center for Biomedical Research in Music has offered Neurologic Music
Therapy (NMT) based neurorehabilitation groups for
members of the local community with mobility/motor deficits. The weekly therapy
groups typically consist of eight to ten participants who have experienced
stroke or other neurologic diseases such as Parkinson's disease. Participants
are usually no longer eligible for outpatient therapy services though they can
still continue to progress in their physical rehabilitation. NMT and Physical
therapists conduct the hour-long sessions with assistance from Graduate
research assistants and Graduate Music Therapy students. Individual therapy
sessions with an emphasis on facilitating upper extremity and hand function are
also conducted on a weekly basis for select individuals.
Comprehensive
Music Therapy sessions consist of a generalized, full-body exercise program
facilitated by the use of the Patterned Sensory Enhancement (PSE) technique.
Upper extremity coordination and balance challenges are presented through the
use of the Therapeutic Instrumental Music Playing Technique (TIMP), and
individualized gait training is presented through the use of Rhythmic Auditory
Stimulation (RAS).