Motivational Music with Physical Therapy

I received a question asking what type of music is motivating for physical therapy goals.  After several days of thinking about the various answers such as: strong rhythmic styles, clients’ personal favorites, rock, country, classical, instrumental, toe-tapping, relaxing, etc.  I have decided to write that the answer is all of the above and more.  Motivation comes in many forms for all of us and particular for some of us.  The goals trying to be obtained will also direct the style or music activity chosen for each client. 

I gave an example of using music therapy with a girl with Angelman’s Syndrome and she wouldn’t even provide eye contact for the physical therapist; however, she would get up, dance, and move for me.  When walking up those steps during co-treatment, I utilized her favorite instrument (ocean drum) and played a strong beat while singing a marching song.  We changed the lyrics to match her activity of walking up the stairs, walking down the stairs, etc.  

With an adult client who has Cerebral Palsy and his hands tightly clenched, I utilized the autoharp with it’s melodic string sound and an adaptable pick.  He preferred this sound and he was motivated to get that pick to work for him.  Over time, I would adapt the pick style instead of the style of music. 

With a baby with developmental delays, partial deafness, and difficulty holding his head, I chose various loud instruments, singing through a cut oxygen tube directed to his ear, and placing him on his belly, he was highly motivated to lift his head to see what he was hearing.  

Music therapists can provide so many examples of musical motivation; however, I do not think a music therapist could identify a specific style applicable to every client.  This said, there may be certain activities and instruments that are commonly used.

Thank you for the great question and I have truly appreciated the thought process that went into answering this question.  Please feel free to ask any questions you may have concerning music therapy and its interventions.

Music Therapy and Physical Therapy

I’ve received a request asking how music therapy can be helpful for physical therapy.  I actually love this topic for many reasons.  I get the chance to demonstrate how music works biologically in a setting where the evidence is so concrete because it is witness through movement.   There is also immediate gratification when witnessing a physical therapy goal met through music.  Some of my clients’ greatest successes  were a result of physical therapy and music therapy implemented together.   Music Therapy is utilizing the musical components and adaptive tools to accomplish non-musical goals.  Goals in areas such as physical therapy, speech therapy, mental health, and occupational therapy are studied and communicated with a music therapist to enhance treatment.  The result is sometimes shocking even to the co-therapist.   

I remember a little girl who was involved with physical therapy twice a week in her home.  The physical therapist struggled with her client to make eye contact, much less participate in therapy.  The client was encouraged to stand with assistance and to make several steps through out the home.  The client also loved water and the physical therapist encouraged her to take the stairs to the bathroom and rewarded her with water play in the sink.  This worked temporarily; but then the client would be “exhausted” after one trip up and down the stairs.  The mother of the little girl reported to the physical therapist that while music therapy sessions were going on, she would dance for 20 minutes of the session.  This surprised the physical therapist and she  then observe the music therapy sessions.  After a few observations, the physical therapist was impressed by the clients music motivation.  Co-therapy began and took place one time a week and the first session included several walks up the stairs, down the stairs, and several minutes on a treadmill.  This was incredible! 

The first step into any treatment is to get them moving and to motivate them to get themselves moving.  Music is a motivating factor for everyone in ways of involuntary neurological participation through rhythmic structure.  Music also motivates emotional participation through rhythmic structure and tonal sounds with melody and harmony.   With emotional and physical motivation, an increase in voluntary participation can be witnessed.  Music Therapist often have adaptive tools that can assist a client in participation.  Tools can include a variety of instruments as well as adaptive gadgets allowing ability to play chosen instruments.  I have worked with several Cerebral Palsy clients whose hands are clinched so tight, yet, they can play an autoharp when a large flat pick is slipped in between the fingers.  Various shakers can be found to work with a variety of hand positions.  I even have a tool that clamps onto a table and several instruments can be hung, clamped, placed upright, or placed on the sides to allow various positionings allowing fine and gross motor skills work. 

I have recently come across several  research articles regarding stroke victims and music therapy.  It is encouraging to read that other professionals are recognizing the benefits and profound effectiveness of music therapy in physical and neurological recovery.   Through emotional motivation, increase of memory input, and social involvement of music therapy, some have reported a diffference in progress as much as 60% between stroke victims involved in music therapy and those not involved in music therapy.  That is significant and makes me wonder why we do not have more Music Therapist working alongside physical therapist, occupational therapist, and speech therapist in the hospitals.