Neurological music therapy groups for clients with neurological conditions including Stroke, Parkinson’s and Multiple Sclerosis run in partnership with Integrated Neurological Services (INS) in Twickenham TW2 5QS, which provides support for over 400 people with neurological conditions.
People with neurological conditions have mobility, cognitive and communication issues. Many have mental health problems, knowing their condition will deteriorate and suffer isolation and depression. As music is processed across different areas of the brain it can help restore functions in undamaged parts of the brain. Neurological music therapy is an evidence-based treatment which can improve functional capabilities – cognition, communication and movement.
We are now running some music therapy groups with a Speech and Language therapist, provided by INS, to help increase vocal loudness and voice production, and also sessions with an Occupational Therapist to explore and encourage functional movement, to increase strength and improve fine motor movement.
Many thanks to Heathrow Community Trust for funding the groups at INS.
For further information and to book contact INS at: admin@ins.org.uk or call: 020 8755 4000
ACTIVITIES:
- Breathing exercises
- Singing
- Walking to music – matching stride to the beat
- Playing percussion instruments – activating side affected by stroke
- Song writing
- Opportunities to talk about difficulties they face
- Carers can also attend to learn to use music therapy at home.
BENEFITS:
- Improved breath flow and vocal communication through breathing and vocal exercises
- Reduced anxiety through mindfulness and relaxation techniques
- Improved mental well-being due to making music with others, and self-expression through song writing.
- Improved cognition and memory through writing and remembering lyrics
- Movement – playing an instrument, walking to a beat can strengthen weakened muscles
T has Parkinson’s disease which gives him mobility problems. He is from a musical family and enjoys classical and country music. At the OKMT music therapy groups with he played keyboard and enjoyed drumming, creating rhythm around the groups, shaking maracas and tambourine. He said the music got him doing things, stimulating his nerves and his thought processes. T played the keyboard for the whole group, including for their own version of ‘Streets of London’. He said,
“It gave me a reason to get out of bed in the morning – never underestimate the power of music”
G has had 2 strokes and has limited mobility and speech problems. She has a love for music and had been a proficient piano player with hopes of becoming a professional musician. She loved our online groups which helped her relax and improved her breathing, speech and movement. G helped to co-create a group song “The Empty Streets of Lockdown London”, giving her the opportunity to be creative and to share her own lived experience during the lockdowns. She made connections with others in the group, which cheered her up and made her feel less isolated. She said,
“Music cheers us up. It is a special thing we can’t do without”