Neurologic Music Therapy- What does it mean, and how can we benefit?

Earlier this year, our founder, Ms. Melissa, completed a 4-day intensive training in Neurologic Music Therapy. Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) is the therapeutic application of music to cognitive, sensory, and motor dysfunctions due to neurologic disease of the human nervous system (Thaut, 1999). This evidenced-based clinical treatment system is driven by advances (research) in neuroscience and an understanding that music can influence and change non-musical brain and behavior function. NMT employs 20 unique, trademarked techniques therapists use to target speech, sensorimotor, and cognitive skills.

Who Benefits from NMT?

NMT has been successful intervention for people with (but not limited to): traumatic brain injury, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, developmental disabilities such as autism, communication disorders, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and dementia.

What is the difference between Neurologic Music Therapy and regular music therapy?

While general music therapy is highly effective on its own to treat many different goal areas, Neurologic Music Therapy is a separate field. NMT is an evidence-based model that focuses on the neuroscience of music through specific research-based techniques. When interventions are done properly and consistently, it drives changes in the brain to reach the goal of the client. Strong emphasis is put on generalization of the skill into the home/workplace/school setting to ensure carryover into daily living from the clinic.

Neurologic Music Therapists are specialists who are required to have completed additional training above and beyond standard music therapy certification in order to obtain and maintain their NMT designation.

How does NMT help speech goals?

NMT interventions can be used to address a range of speech and language goals including breath support, word retrieval, word fluency, articulation, voice volume, voice inflection, and non-verbal expressive language.

Specific populations can include aphasia, apraxia, Parkinson’s, autism, developmental disabilities, and more.

How does NMT help motor goals?

NMT interventions can help support rehabilitation goals related to coordination, range of motion, balance, strength, endurance, and activity of daily living. Interventions can cue and support movement as well as encourage purposeful movements.

Specific populations can include Alzheimer’s and dementia, autism, brain tumor, cerebral palsy, stroke, Huntington’s, Parkinson’s and other neurological diseases, and brain injury.

How does NMT help cognition goals?

NMT interventions can be used to address goals in the areas of attention, executive function, memory, psychosocial, and sensory integration.

Specific populations can include Alzheimer’s and dementia, autism, brain tumor, cerebral palsy, stroke, Huntington’s, Parkinson’s and other neurological diseases, and brain injury.

*Definitions and facts from the Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy