Neurological illness can be devastating. One disease that affects the brain is stroke, occurring when the blood supply to the brain in blocked and often resulting in speech, motor or memory impairment. This affects over 6 million in the U.S.
Could the rhythm from playing a guitar make a difference in stroke?
As a student in music therapy at the University of Maine, Brian Harris became intrigued with the ability of rhythm and music to change the brain. He wanted to make a difference for the patients he saw. He was watching a session with a wheelchair bound boy with neurological deficiencies including the inability to talk and cognitive impairment. But within minutes of the music therapy session beginning, the child began to improve. Family members who were present teared…