Communicating with brain-impaired palliative care patients through music therapy

Communicating with brain-impaired palliative care patients through music therapy

http://psycnet.apa.org/psycinfo/1994-27111-001

O’Callaghan, Clare C

Journal of Palliative Care, Vol 9(4), 1993, 53-55.

Abstract:

Because language is mainly a function of the left hemisphere of the brain and music is mainly a function of the right hemisphere, using language and music together therapeutically with brain-impaired patients offers a greater chance of activating intact neurological pathways. Music therapy also offers an alternate and creative way of communicating with these patients. Music therapy techniques used with brain-damaged patients include musically supported counseling, musically based life review, the encouragement of patient music performance and song writing, and music-based family sessions. Music therapy as palliative care is discussed

Keywords: neurology, music therapy, palliative care