Neurologic Music Therapy

Last week, I took a 4-day professional course in Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT)® at the conservatorium ArtEZ University of Applied Sciences. I have learned so much about this integrative field of theory and practice, about my own research, and about the power of music for rehabilitation purposes. 👩🏼‍🦼 🎶 💃🏼

Neurologic Music Therapy is defined as the therapeutic application of music to cognitive, sensory, and motor function due to neurologic disease of the human nervous system. Its treatment techniques are based on the scientific knowledge in music perception and production and the effects thereof on nonmusical brain and behaviour functions. Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT)® is a system of evidence-based techniques developed within a neuroscience guided model (RSMM) of music perception, production, and cognition and applied using the Transformational Design Model (TDM)®. Populations served by Neurologic Music Therapists include, but are not limited to stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's and Huntington's disease, cerebral palsy, developmental disorders, Alzheimer's disease, autism, and other neurological diseases affecting cognition, movement, and communication (e.g., MS, Muscular Dystrophy, etc). During the training, we practiced and discussed 20 different cognitive, speech/language and sensori-motor techniques, using different kinds of musical instruments for designing detailed interventions.

Normally, I don't shout out to neuroscience, as the evidence often seems to be spread out loud in brain scans. Yet, when integrated with music, my perception on this field changes, because of the integrative connection that music creates in the human brain and its intuitive practice. Diseases, disorders and injuries change overnight into human material that can be studied in a playful (which is important to me) manner. The people that have taught me in the last few days feel like pioneers and they have enriched my perspective in multiple ways. Also, working with 40+ professionally educated music therapists was a giant treat, a deep dive, as well as a steep learning curve. This experience needs time to sink in, but will get a truthful place in my life.

I'm playing with a
Simple phase

"I love you"

Not so simple
When it's true

Be My Music - The Kids from Fame