Music Therapy and Its Impact on the Brain
- christinaphung
- Jan 11, 2018
- 2 min read
Can you think about a world without music? No lullabies, no scary films, no dancing!!!
Elizabeth Stegemöller is a music therapist and utilises music therapy to treat people with Parkinson's disease. Ms. Elizabeth Stegemöller is an assistant professor at Iowa State University in the Department of Kinesiology and a well-known neuroscience expert in music therapy.
In this Tedx Talk, Stegemöller discusses the impact of music therapy on developing the neuroplasticity of the brain. Here is a summary of the main points:
1. Music Therapy helps to regulate neurotransmitteurs in the brain, especially dopamine. Dopamine helps to make new connections in the brain. Research has shown that listening to preferred music increases dopamine production. As music therapists, we take into account the musical preferences of the client when proposing a therapeutic project.
2. Music provides a clearer signal that is easier for the brain to understand compared to the speech signal. When information is given using music, it is heard and processed more easily.
3. Rhythm synchronises neural activity.
4. Music can activate the entire brain. Different parts of the brain are activated depending on if we are reading music, listening to music, moving to music. Memories are also associated with music.
As music therapists, we are trained in many different music instruments and we have the entire brain at our fingertips. We also understand the importance of using preferred music, which is often influenced by one's age, environment, and culture. Check out my instagram with different music from my trips to Peru and Japan: https://www.instagram.com/musicwithchristina/
Im so glad that music therapy exists!! xxx
Musical regards
Christina
Comments