The Therapeutic Benefits of Music for Those With Brain Injuries

Studies have shown that music can promote new neural connections for those with brain injuries. As well, music has been proven to trigger memories possibly assisting with memory loss as well as cognitive and physical functions.

For help in overcoming such syumptoms as short term memory loss and impaired decision making skills, music is being considered as a therapy for those with brain injuries. Some therapists are introducing neurological music therapy to their patients because studies indicate that music can promote new neural connections.

Music assists with speech and language skills, physical functioning and social interaction. Because music is a whole brain function, it can affect emotional well-being and assist with motor skills such as learning to walk again or in using fine motor skill development to manipulate small objects. Music offers an opportunity for those suffering from brain injuries or strokes to relate to others. It can increase confidence and self-esteem as well as help to reuild self-identity.

. Therapy includes listening to familiar music, relating to the rhythm and tempo, singing songs or playing an instrument such as the drums. Music therapy is used in a clinical setting by a qualified therapist to stimulate brain functions, encourage social interaction, emotional and cognitive requirements and to rehabilitate speech and language disabilities.

Music therapy is believed by many to improve the quality of life. Studies indicate that rhythmic auditory stimulation will help with movement, musical improvisation is good for emotional expression, and singing can assist with speech. Listening to music is believed to be a benefit in controlling pain and in increasing auditory processing. It is also believed that music therapy will help prevent depression as well which is often a serious symptom of brain injuries.

In many of these therapy sessions traumatic brain injury patients each have a drum and match rhythms and tempo set by the instructor. Studies of music therapy have indicated that there have been improvements that when used have also been instrumental in relieving frustrations for those sufferers who have exhibited displays of violence as one of the symptoms following a head injury.

Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who suffered a brain injury from a sniper's bullet, was given music therapy. This therapy has been credited with her ability to speak again by training her brain to use a less traveled pathway. The ability of the brain to be able to do this is called neuroplasticity. It is believed that few other things activate the brain as extensively as music.

Music therapy helps to promote new pathways in the brain (called neuroplasticity) thereby creating new neural connections which in turn increase the brain's ability to heal. Studies indicate that music is a great step towards brain injury recovery.