Rapid developments in music research have been introduced into neurological therapy since the early the 2000\u2019s. This is in part because during the 1990\u2019s and early 2000\u2019s, new brain imaging and electrical recording techniques have been used to reshape of view of music therapy and education. These techniques have allowed us for the first time ever to watch a live human brain while patients performed complex cognitive and motor tasks. \u00a0It has been the conclusion of these studies that neurological music therapy does meet the standards of evidence-based medicine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Scientists used this new technology to study how the brain processed\nverbal and nonverbal communication, how it processed complex time information,\nand how a musician\u2019s brain enables the advanced and complicated motor skills\nnecessary to perform musical work. After years of research, two findings in using\nmusic in rehabilitation stand out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the major findings is that brain areas that are activated\nby music are not unique to music. The networks in the brain that process music,\nalso process other functions. The brain areas involved in music are also\ninvolved in processing language, auditory perception, attention memory,\nexecutive control, and motor control. Music efficiently accesses and activates\nthese sections of the brains and can drive complex patterns of interaction among\nthem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The second major finding is that music learning changes the brain. Research clearly shows that through music learning. Auditory and motor areas of the brain grow larger and interact more efficiently. For example, after novice pianists have just a few weeks of training, the areas in their brain that are used for hand control grow larger and are more connected. It became clear that music can cause plasticity in the brain<\/a> by training and learning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n With this information, music was then used to help patients\nwho suffered brain injuries. Brain damage can have a significant effect on our\nlanguage and movement, greatly impacting our quality of life. It is estimated\nthat 1.5 million people in the United States sustain a traumatic brain injury\neach year. Of those people 80,000 to 90,000 will be left with long-term disabilities.\n The restoration of motor function is a\nprimary concern for brain injury patients because improvements will directly\naffect the level of independence of the patient for daily activities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Timing is key in proficient motor learning and skilled motor activities. Without these skills, a person cannot execute movement efficiently. \u00a0Rhythm and timing are also important elements in music. Because of this, music therapy was \u201ctested\u201d to help patients with brain injuries and the results are astonishing. Though not effective for all patients, since every case is different, the overall result is that many patients benefit from music therapy when trying to regain sufficient motor skills. By following rhythmic cues, patients recovering from a brain injury affecting their motor skills, were able to walk faster and with better control over their bodies. Other complex measures of movement such as limb coordination and angle extensions also became significantly more consistent. Smoother, and flexible. These improvements held up over a long-term training and also proved to be superior in comparison with other standard physical therapy interventions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A video visualizing such findings is shown below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n