Music Therapy for Parkinson's and Stroke

Music is processed diffusely in the brain, more than any other single activity (Crowe, 2004).Hence music can drive brain neuroplasticity (Thaut and Hoemberg, 2014), which has major implications particularly in neurological rehabilitation.

Music therapy has a significant positive impact on physical, cognitive and communication outcomes. Due to the prevalence of depression in individuals diagnosed with neurological conditions such as traumatic brain injury and stroke, the impact of music therapy on mood improvement has also been documented. 

I am reminded of former stroke patients who were referred to music therapy for various reasons spanning different domains; many were referred due to low mood and not compliant with (any) therapy. When they displayed interest in music, their transformation was amazing! They became motivated to participate in music therapy, their mood lifted, and other therapists were able to leverage on the patient’s improved attitude towards rehabilitation and achieve therapy gains.

Watch my former colleague, S. Lau, sharing about one such patient.

Visit benefits of music therapy page for the full list of references.