\u201cParkinson\u2019s Disease is a terrible disease\u201d, stated Mr. Raj as we sat at his dining room table during a home health visit.\u00a0 But then his wife reminded him that he is actually very fortunate to still be blessed with so many abilities and pointed out all the things for which they have to be grateful. At this point, I had been working with him for three weeks and he was progressing very well with compensatory strategies as well as with increased function as a result of physical, occupational, and speech therapy.\u00a0 One clinical strategy that he especially loved was to utilize all his learned techniques while singing the songs from his homeland of India, which extended his breath support, intelligibility, and coordinated movements for walking and dressing.\u00a0 He was quite surprised at all his successful functions which he had thought were lost forever.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Using Music with all Disciplines of Therapy<\/strong><\/p>\n Incorporating music into our physical, occupational, or speech therapy treatments often makes a significant difference in their clinical outcomes.\u00a0 For instance, Mr. Bob was almost completely unintelligible to his family and was experiencing frequent falls in his home.\u00a0 But he learned to incorporate his favorite music of singing and listening to church hymns, which helped him with pacing his speech, walking, and ADLs, for increased function for his goals by all disciplines.\u00a0 Imagine the shock of his family when, even though they could not understand a single phrase he was trying to say, he was able to sing a beautifully loud and clear version of \u201cIt is well with my soul<\/em>\u201d!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Music with Dual Task Training<\/strong><\/p>\n Singing or listening to music while walking with the PT, or while completing a dressing task with the OT can lead to remarkable results as well, as it incorporates Dual Task Training.\u00a0 Evidence and clinical case studies have proven the effectiveness of combining cognitive and motor tasks to significantly improve both cognitive and motor functions, more so than when such tasks are targeted alone.\u00a0 Dance is another modality to incorporate music with motor and cognitive functions in dual task training.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve found the power of music and dual task training utilized by all disciplines to help many of my patients succeed in their functional goals!\u00a0 To learn more about these options, check out my online course, Seeking Improved Therapy Outcomes with Music<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Explore online continuing education courses from Lisa below:<\/p>\n Cognitive Treatments for Adults<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Complexities and Treatment Strategies with Pulmonary Disease<\/a> How Classes of Medications Impact Falls<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Implementing Successful Aging Initiatives for Elder Clients<\/a> Seeking Improved Therapy Outcomes with Music<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogcontent.summit-education.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Photo-by-blocks-on-Unsplash-scaled.jpg\")
<\/a>Though we employ multiple evidence-based techniques, strategies, and exercises for skilled interventions, I find it is also critical to ask my patients about their prior occupations, interests, cultures, and preferences so I can incorporate these factors into the plan of care.\u00a0 And with those people living with Parkinson\u2019s Disease, we often include their favorite music as an intervention to add function.\u00a0 For speech therapy, this incorporates diaphragmatic support, increased prosody, pacing, increased intelligibility, and volume.\u00a0 For physical and occupational therapy, music can have a significant impact on gait, coordination, and movement.<\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n