WHAT IS NEUROLOGIC MUSIC THERAPY?

Neurologic Music Therapy is defined by the Neurologic training manual (Thaut, 1999) as

Therapeutic Instrumental Music Performance

“the therapeutic application of music to cognitive, sensory, and motor dysfunctions due to neurologic disease of the human nervous system.”  Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) is based on a neuroscience model of music perception and production, and the influence of music on functional changes in nonmusical brain and behavior functions.  Treatment techniques in NMT are based on scientific research and are directed towards functional therapeutic goals.

The Transformational Design Model (TDM) provides a system for the therapist to translate the scientific model into functional clinical practice.

1. Diagnostic and functional assessment of the patient

2. Development of therapeutic goals/objectives

3. Design of functional, nonmusical therapeutic exercises and stimuli

4. Translation of step 3 into functional therapeutic music experiences

5. Transfer of therapeutic learning to functional, nonmusical real-world applications

The first three steps and the fifth step in the TDM are basic processes common to all therapy disciplines.