At Royal Bucks, we offer Music Therapy as part of our holistic and dynamic approach to treatment, preparing a person-centred care plan for each patient.
In partnership with Chiltern Music Therapy, we have been delivering Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) to our patients since 2015.
NMT is the therapeutic use of music applied to sensory, speech and language, cognitive, and motor injuries after a neurologic event or diagnosis. The therapy is based on neuroscience research on how music is processed and perceived in the brain, and how we can use that as a tool in neuro rehabilitation to improve non-musical goals.
Meet James, our neurologic music therapist
James works alongside our multi-disciplinary team to help our patients, of which have acquired and traumatic brain and spinal injuries achieve their therapeutic goals, offering support during and after their rehabilitation at Royal Bucks. The type of sessions delivered can vary due to the person-centred approach James adopts. Such sessions could include bedside, one-to-one, small and large group sessions, and also could include family and sibling sessions.
James qualified as a Music Therapist in 2018 and gained further certification as Neurologic Music Therapy and MATADOC Assessor. His clinical experience includes working with children and adults with a range of needs, including neuro-rehabilitation, dementia, learning disabilities, ASD, behavioural difficulties and complex medical needs. James is passionate about neurorehabilitation and supporting children and adults with brain and spinal injuries to reach their goals and is currently heading up an exciting online music therapy stroke group which is starting very soon!
Areas supported by neurologic music therapy
Speech and Communication
- Enhancing functional and spontaneous speech
- Improving the clarity of speech
- Improving functional breath support
- Reacquisition of words
Motor Skills
- Improving trunk control
- Improving balance, coordination, posture – supporting gait
- Improving fine and gross motor skills
Cognition
- Addressing and improving difficulties with attention and focus
- Improving executive functioning
- Improving memory/recall
- Supporting sensory processing
Emotional Health and Wellbeing
- Promoting self-expression
- Mood elevation
- Increasing confidence and self-esteem
What are the benefits of neurologic music therapy and music therapy?
– Increased confidence
– Enhanced self esteem
– Development of fine and gross motor skills for functional tasks – improved independence
– Opportunities to explore emotions verbally/non-verbally
– Practice of planning, sequencing and memory, allowing for ease of transition and increased independence when discharged back into community/home
– Increasing awareness of self and acceptance during a time of transition from previous to present and present to future condition.
James’ online stroke music therapy group with Chiltern Music Therapy to explore singing and speech techniques in a low pressure and friendly environment.
“As his wife and carer, I could see the difference after each session. I was very pleased when he started to come forward and talk, he is normally quite shy”. – Wife of a group member. Please contact James for more info.
Music Therapy has proven physical, cognitive, psychological, social, emotional AND communication benefits for patients, which brings lots of smiles and forms an important part of their 1:1 specialist rehabilitation.
Playing music focuses on physical strength, balance and rhythmic movement whilst singing helps to aid recall, pronunciation, articulation and projection.
Song writing, playing and singing to music also helps to improve memory and attention whilst allowing for personal emotional expression, stimulation, and of course, fun!
Can singing support stroke rehabilitation?
The Stroke Rehab Times recently shared a study which provides evidence that singing can help to improve the rehabilitation process of a stroke patient after it showed to promote language function and psychosocial wellbeing for not just the patient, but also their family/carer. It is believed that approximately 40% of people who suffer a stroke will experience aphasia, which is a difficulty to comprehend or produce spoken or written language.
This study, conducted at the University of Helsinki has displayed that singing-based group rehabilitation can support communication and speech production of patients and increase social activity “even at the chronic phase of stroke.”
Postdoctoral researcher Sini-Tuuli Siponkoski says: “Our study is the first where caregivers participated in rehabilitation and their psychological wellbeing was evaluated.”
According to the study’s researchers, singing-based group rehabilitation should be utilised in healthcare as part of aphasia rehabilitation.
Neuro Rehabilitation at The Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital
The Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital prides itself on offering the latest, cutting-edge technology, and innovative, patient-centred therapeutic care with an advanced and dedicated multi-disciplinary team.
If you would like any more information about music therapy at The Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital or our wider neuro-rehabilitation services, please fill in the form on the right, email enquiries@royalbucks.co.uk or call us on +44 (0) 1296 678 800
