The Music Wellness Program engages patients in therapeutic musical activities adapted to each patient’s individual needs, to improve the speech and language, cognitive, and sensorimotor function of patients who have experienced a stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or other neurologic disorders and injuries. Adding music therapy to patients’ treatment plans not only stimulates the mind and body to complete more functional tasks but it enhances the overall patient experience in a way that other therapies can’t achieve.
Neurologic music therapy is a creative and research-based approach to rehabilitation because of what is known about music and how it is perceived and processed in the brain. Music stimulates plasticity in the brain, creating new neuropathways over time with a trained neurologic music therapist. Music also releases the dopamine chemical in the brain, which is responsible for enhancing mood and positive emotions, therefore making music therapy a crucial part of the rehabilitation journey for patients to enhance their quality of life.
Since the launch of the Music Wellness Program, more than 500 patients have received neurologic music therapy treatment.
Watch a patient at MedStar NRH participate in the Music Wellness Program.
Philanthropy plays a crucial role in the growth of this music wellness program. Partnerships that support this program will fund therapeutic disciplines, equipment, and other program expenses, including music therapy internships and musical instruments. Equipment is used to help patients with movement and functions, including:
- The high-intensity gait training, through physical therapy, provides music in an environment of care that helps patients stay motivated in their exercises and is a driving factor to engage the sensory motor system.
- The upper extremity group, through occupational therapy, engages the sensory motor system and specifically targets functionality in the upper extremities. Patients play a variety of musical instruments to increase their functionality related to grasp, reaching, extension and flexion, and lifting.
The positive impact music therapy has on our stroke and spinal cord injury patients
”Music therapy has been the best part of my stay here.”
“Music therapy has made a difference in my recovery. It makes this whole process more fun and enjoyable.”
“Music keeps me motivated and I can see the progress I have made because of it.”
“I never thought I could make music again, and now I realize that it is possible for me.”
We invite you to make a gift to support the Music Wellness Program at MedStar NRH. Click here to make a gift. Contact Amy Walther at amy.m.walther@medstar.net or call 202-877-1774 to learn more.