Music Therapy Helps Some Regain Speech After Stroke

Carol Bradley Bursack is Answering questions Caregiver Author, blogger and eldercare columnist For over twenty years author, columnist and speaker Carol Bradley... Send Message Subscribe: Carol Bradley Bursack

Wednesday, May 07, 2008
View All of Carol Bradley Bursack's Posts

A story that can only be called "heartwarming" was recently published by The New York Times online. Titled, "At 60, He Learned to Sing So He Could Learn to Talk," the story is about how a man regained his ability to talk after a stroke - by singing. The story explains the brain hemispheres i...

Hide Comments | Add comment

music
N.C.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008 at 11:27 AM

Thank you for this post. I know how important music therapy is. My father-in-law loves classic music. He would say he is listening to the concert on cable tv (radio channel) and no noise is allowed near him!! He can listen to it for hours until it finishes. I think it is good because he hates noise. At least he likes classic music. But he has a hard time to pay attention to it so he would hold his head to listen to it very hard.

Nina

re: music
Carol Bradley Bursack
Wednesday, May 07, 2008 at 11:58 AM

Classical music can be very soothing. But even memories of music, when a person is concentrating on it, can make a difference. It's remarkable the way most humans (and, at least some animals) are hardwired to respond to music.

re: re: music
N.C.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008 at 04:29 PM

Yes classical music has no noise and etc. In fact before I read your post, I was wondering if he should do this because he was so mad (about noise around him) and silent listening to it (worry about his being idle.)
Now I think it is good for him!

Nina

re: re: re: music
Carol Bradley Bursack
Wednesday, May 07, 2008 at 04:55 PM

Super! That's just great to hear.

Untitled Comment
Sue
Thursday, May 08, 2008 at 02:19 PM

Thanks for bringing this topic to our posts Carol. Music is a big part of our lives, so it makes sense that our loved ones would have some kind of reaction to old songs - even if its a feeling they get without actually recalling the words or melodies.

Our members may be interested in reading our material on improving the quality of life as well as caregivers may be looking for ways to help themselves! They can check out our Caregiver Center.

All the best, sue