Focus 11: Music Therapy

A familiar tune or words to a favorite song are sometimes the only things that helps a person struggling with dementia to remember.

By Christine Buck,

May 8, 2008, 7:46 PM CDT

A familiar tune or words to a favorite song are sometimes the only things that helps a person struggling with dementia to remember. In fact, memory of music is one of the last skills to fade.

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Researchers are constantly discovering new things about the power of music and how it affects the brain. This health service is called, " music therapy."

Music therapy has been offered at Maryville University since the 1970s, but experts in this field say it's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to understanding fully how music affects the brain.

In the recent past researchers have focused on visual neurology. But there are many experts who believe the new frontier is audio which will concentrate on how we process sound and music. Researchers now know that music is stored in multiple areas of the brain.

Maryville professor, Dr. Cynthia Briggs is observing one of her students. She's working with these special girls from St.louis academy, a small alternative school located near Maryville. Their assignment is to write and sing their own words put to a familiar tune.

"It might sound like their just having fun but our goal is to help them with language development and how to express themselves," said Dr. Briggs.

The music therapist guides the students in exercises that help the girls bond together through song. Dr. Briggs says a psychology process called entrainment is a valuable tool for getting people in sync; humans are hardwired to respond this way.

"You've seen when someone starts to drum a certain beat and eventually everyone does it. That's entrainment," said Briggs

The powerful positive affect music can have is seen on the faces of these nursing home residents who are in various stages of dementia.

Alison Fornah is one of two full time music therapists at Parc Provence. She's also had advanced training as a neurologic music therapist. She's often astounded by the seemingly magical way music can connect people to reality; if even for a short period of time. "A lot of stuff I see here we have no idea how it can be explained," said Fornah

Fornah says one woman she worked with could express herself only through music. "When she would speak she would only say one word. That word was yes, but when it comes to music she can sing anything and clearly. It's very amazing," said Fornah

Sometimes residents tap their feet, or just smile even with their eyes closed.

Music therapists must go through an approved program, an internship and pass a national board for certification.

There are more jobs for music therapists in the United States than professionals in this field.