MUSIC THERAPY AND STROKE
How music therapy can alter the experience of Stroke survivors.
Often, stroke survivors have residual concerns with language skills. Known and loved songs can be very motivational in allowing a safe therapeutic space for practising these skills. Often, the vocal apparatus becomes tired and overstrained and I will also use breathing exercises and vocal exercises to work on releasing tension in the areas enabling speech. I am very happy to liaise with Speech and Language Therapists in this regard.
In addition, stroke survivors often have residual motor difficulties and I will build a programme of music based exercises to enable work on areas of weakness. I am very happy to liaise with Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists in this regard.
Any cognition difficulties - such as the ability to attend and maintain focus - can also be worked on using musical games and music technology applications.
Overall, the sessions are a fun and motivating way of working on rehabilitation after a stroke and this can help to build self-esteem at a time when life seems suddenly to have so many more challenges for the client.