Symphony of science - music therapy in health care: Carly Flaagan at TEDxGrandForks

Summary

The speaker fondly recalls the song 'Fishing in the Dark' as a cherished family memory, highlighting music's profound impact on life's moments. They delve into music therapy's role in healthcare, illustrating its evolution from social science to neuroscience, and its potential in rehabilitation. A vivid example of interprofessional collaboration in a 'Toddler Language Circle' demonstrates music's therapeutic power. The talk concludes with a compelling live demonstration of music therapy, emphasizing music's multimodal stimulation of the brain and advocating for a holistic, interdisciplinary approach to healthcare.

Takeaways

• 🎶 The song 'Fishing in the Dark' holds sentimental value for the speaker, symbolizing love, family, and good times.
• 🌌 The speaker associates the song with various family events, such as camping trips, wedding dances, and celebrations, highlighting the role of music in creating happy memories.
• 🎵 Music is described as being omnipresent in human life, from birth to death, and is a universal part of every culture.
• 💡 The power of music is recognized for its potential in therapy, with a history that dates back to pre-literate civilizations.
• 🧠 Music therapy is presented as a systematic intervention process that uses musical experiences to help clients achieve health goals, affecting cognitive, physical, emotional, and behavioral aspects.
• 🤝 The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in healthcare is emphasized, with music therapy being a relatively new and important addition to the field.
• 🌉 The challenges of integrating music therapy into an interdisciplinary healthcare approach are discussed, including the need for effective communication and mutual respect among professionals.
• 👩‍⚕️ The speaker shares a personal experience of collaborating with speech-language pathologists in a clinical practicum, illustrating how music can be adapted to meet specific therapeutic goals.
• 🎤 An example of using music therapy to help children with language delays is given, where a song is modified to practice a target word, demonstrating the practical application of music in therapy.
• 🥁 A live demonstration of music therapy is provided, showing how playing drums to a beat can help a patient recover from a stroke by working on specific motor skills.
• 🌟 The multimodal nature of music therapy, involving visual, auditory, and tactile stimulation, is explained as a way to engage the brain and facilitate rehabilitation.
• 🌈 The speaker envisions a future healthcare system that includes music therapy as a standard part of a holistic approach to treating the whole person.

Q & A

What is the significance of the song 'Fishing in the Dark' in the speaker's family?

The song 'Fishing in the Dark' holds a special place in the speaker's family as it is associated with good times and happiness. It has been played during camping trips, wedding dances, and celebrations, creating a sense of love, family, and belonging.

Why did the speaker choose 'Fishing in the Dark' for the celebration honoring their uncle Tim?

The speaker chose 'Fishing in the Dark' for the celebration honoring their uncle Tim because it is a song that brings back fond memories and is associated with positive emotions and family unity, making it an ideal choice for a celebratory event.

What is the role of music therapy in the current healthcare system?

Music therapy is an emerging healthcare profession that uses musical experiences and the relationships developed through them as dynamic forces for change. It is becoming an important part of healthcare, addressing health goals in various realms such as cognitive, physical, emotional, and behavioral.

How has the practice of music therapy evolved over the years?

The practice of music therapy has evolved from a social science into neuroscience, focusing on how music engages and changes the brain. This has allowed for a more systematic approach to using music as a therapeutic medium.

What is the importance of interprofessional collaboration in healthcare?

Interprofessional collaboration in healthcare is crucial for taking a holistic approach to treatment. It allows different medical professionals to work together, using their unique skills and understanding to address the needs of the patient more effectively.

What was the purpose of the 'Toddler Language Circle' (TLC) program mentioned in the script?

The purpose of the 'Toddler Language Circle' (TLC) program was to provide a collaborative environment where music therapy students and speech-language pathology students worked together to address the language goals of children with delays, using music as a tool and motivator.

How did the music therapy students adapt their interventions to fit the needs of the shared clients in the TLC program?

The music therapy students adapted their interventions by taking the language goals designed by the speech-language pathology students and incorporating them into music activities. For example, changing a word in a song to a target word chosen by the speech-language pathologists.

What is the role of rhythm in music therapy and why is it important?

Rhythm plays a significant role in music therapy as it stimulates the brain to move to the beat. Humans are naturally wired with rhythm, and rhythmic musical cues allow the brain to anticipate and predict movement, which can be used therapeutically to improve motor skills.

How did the speaker demonstrate the practical application of music therapy on stage?

The speaker demonstrated the practical application of music therapy on stage by engaging a volunteer in a role-play scenario where they acted as a patient who had suffered a stroke. They used the patient's favorite song and a drumming activity to work on upper extremity movement and crossing the midline with the affected arm.

What is the multimodal aspect of music therapy and how does it benefit the brain?

The multimodal aspect of music therapy involves the combination of visual, auditory, and tactile stimulation. This engages different senses and creates a more stimulating environment for the brain, which can aid in rehabilitation and the formation of new neural pathways.

What is the speaker's vision for the future of healthcare in terms of music therapy?

The speaker envisions a future where collaboration between medical professionals increases and strengthens, promoting a more interdisciplinary approach to healthcare. They hope to see music therapy recognized and integrated as an essential part of holistic healthcare, addressing the musical aspects of every individual.