Even when dementia patients can’t speak, they can often still sing.  Our Board-Certified Music Therapists establish objectives and tailor the program (s) to the needs of the patient(s) in an Active Session.  These sessions may be for individuals and/or group music therapy sessions to provide the patient(s) with direction and assist in establishing whether the session is working.

Singing and remembering lyrics are often the last things to be forgotten.  Speaking uses the left side of the brain and singing uses the entire brain.  Because we are engaging both sides of the brain, the parts that control speech are gettingextra ‘assistance’ from the other parts.

As the Senior with Dementia sings and experiences music, they sway to the beat of the music, they smile, and they sing, even if they had been withdrawn before.

Music therapy is most commonly associated with soothing individuals with dementia who are agitated, but it also is known to trigger memories of major life events and emotions: memory, speech, mood are all enhanced with the implementation of these programs (American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, 2003).²Finding music popular to the individual between the ages of 18-25 are particularly likely to elicit strong responses; though, unfamiliar music may be equally beneficial since the individual has no memory or emotion attached to the music (Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 2015).

Due to the fact that memory and attention deficits are among the first clinical manifestations to develop in Alzheimer’s disease, it is possible that musical stimulation may increase temporary arousal, stimulating cognitive activity; suggesting a beneficial effect on cognition – although, further studies are essential in confirming these findings.¹²  According to research by Tupen (2012), music therapy is somewhat increasing the quality of life in individuals with dementia somewhat due to a positive response from all individuals in four areas – interest, communication, enjoyment and mood.¹³

References 1. American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (2003). Caring for the Alzheimer’s disease patient. Retrieved from  http://www.aagponline.org/index.php?src=gendocs&ref=caregiving&category=Foundation2.Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (2015). Education and care. Retrieved from http://www.alzfdn.org/EducationandCare/musictherapy.html 12. Van de Winckel, A., Feys, H., DeWeerdt, W., & Dom, R. (2004). Cognitive and behavioural effects of  music-based exercises in patients with dementia. Clinical Rehabilitation, 18(3), 253-260. doi:10.1191/0269215504cr750oa  13. Tuppen, J. (2012). The benefits of groups that provide cognitive stimulation for people with dementia. Nursing Older People, 24(10), 20-24.

Yes, we do have our very own Music Therapy Videos and we encourage you and your friends to watch the videos for an in-depth look at Music…Sweet Music’s Music Therapy programs if you are interested in becoming a Music Therapist or you or someone you know is interested in participating in our programs.
click here

Are my donations tax deductible?

All donations are tax-deductible – If you choose to support Music Sweet Music Inc. you’ll get a little something in return. Because we’re a charitable, non-profit organization, all donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. For offline donations, we’ll mail your receipt. If you have questions or live outside of the United States, please contact your tax advisor as to how you can donate to Music Sweet Music.

How Safe is to pay online by credit card? 

At Music Sweet Music we take the issue of security very seriously.  We use an HTTPS. This level of encryption is the strongest commercially available level, and is used to protect your information as it crosses the Internet.  Nevertheless, we understand that people are still skeptical about the Internet.   You can always make your donation via check or money order to Music Sweet Music.

Can I mail my donation or send a check instead?

Yes.  Our address is located on the website and on the donation page.  When donating, please send a check or money order.  Never send cash over the United States Postal Service  (USPS).

Can’t find our address?

Music Sweet Music’s physical and mailing address is:  1135 S. Pasadena Avenue, Suite 305, South Pasadena, Florida 33707.

How do I donate monthly?

It’s quick and easy to sign up online http://www.musicsweetmusic.org/donate or give us a call on 727-381-9095 and we’ll help get you set up.

How much money does your President and CEO Make?

Zero.  Our President and CEO volunteers all of his time to Music Sweet Music.

Is there a minimum amount that a donor needs to donate? 

There is no minimum or maximum amount you can donate to Music Sweet Music, Inc.  No matter the size of a donation, big or small, it goes towards a good cause and can help all our Music Therapy programs.

Why should I help Music Sweet Music and what is the impact of my support? 

Your gift, pooled with other donations, will help us contract board certified Music Therapists and provide children with illnesses, diseases and disorders Music Therapy sessions and the special musical instruments used in Music Therapy.

What does https protect from?

HTTPS (HTTP Secure) is an extension of the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) for secure communication over a computer network, and is widely used on the Internet. In HTTPS, the communication protocol is encrypted by Transport Layer Security (TLS), or formerly, its predecessor, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL).   The ‘S’ at the end of HTTPS stands for ‘Secure’. It means all communications between your browser and the website are encrypted.

Starting a music therapy career generally requires a bachelor’s degree in music therapy. A bachelor’s degree in musical therapy needs to include core courses in four areas: musical foundations, clinical foundations, music therapy, and general education courses. Since it is considered a professional music degree, you will study through a department of music.

Master’s degree programs in music therapy are also available.

Observe Music Therapy  – Contact Music Sweet Music, Inc. and we will be happy to speak with you and arrange for you to shadow one of our therapists during one of their work days. Seeing is believing, and you may decide this is truly the profession for you.

The Music Therapy program at Florida State University has provided comprehensive clinical education and training since 1950. FSU’s undergraduate and equivalency Music Therapy programs prepare students for clinical practice in a wide range of settings, a successful completion of these programs qualifies students to sit for the board certification examination. http://www.music.fsu.edu/programs/music-therapy

Frost Music Therapy students are provided with a comprehensive scientific, evidence-based curriculum; clinical training and research in numerous hospitals and clinics, including in the world-famous Miller School of Medicine; and exceptional music training with the diverse and creative faculty of the Frost School of Music.
https://musictherapy.frost.miami.edu

To Find a Current School Offering a Music Therapy Degree Program:
Choose “AMTA-Approved School” under “Member Type,” any other criteria you require and click the Search button. Leave blank any fields that are not necessary; it is best to keep search criteria broad for the most inclusive list. You may also request a printed list of schools by contacting the AMTA National Office at (301) 589-3300.

https://www.musictherapy.org

What research and resources are available to substantiate and support Music Therapy?

AMTA has promoted a vast amount of research exploring the benefits of music as treatment through publication of the Journal of Music Therapy, Music Therapy Perspectives, and other resources. The CD-ROM “Music Therapy Research – Quantitative and Qualitative Foundations” offers a complete collection of research published by the music therapy associations in the United States from 1964 through 2003.

What are some of the outcomes are documented in Music Therapy research?

• Reduced muscle tension
• Improved self-image
• Increased self-esteem
• Decreased anxiety/agitation
• Increased verbalization
• Enhanced interpersonal relationships
• Improved group cohesiveness
• Increased motivation
• Successful and safe emotional release
• Music therapy as an addition to standard care helps people with schizophrenia to improve their global state and may also improve mental state and functioning if a sufficient number of music therapy sessions are provided. Reference: Gold, C., Heldal, T.O., Dahle, T., Wigram, T. (2005). Music Therapy for Schizophrenia or Schizophrenia-like Illnesses. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 3. Accession: 00075320-100000000-03007 PMID: 15846692
• Providers can teach patients with nonmalignant chronic pain how to use music to enhance the effects of analgesics, decrease pain, depression and disability, and promote feelings of power. Colwell, C. (1997). Music as distraction and relaxation to reduce chronic pain and narcotic ingestion: A case study. Music Therapy Perspectives, 15, 24-31. Siedliecki, S.L. & Good, M. (2006). Effect of music on power, pain, depression and disability. J Adv Nurs. 54(5):553-62.
• Music therapy significantly diminished patients’ negative symptoms, increased their ability to converse with others, reduced their social isolation, and increased their level of interest in external events. As music therapy has no side-effects and is relatively inexpensive, it merits further evaluation and wider application. Tang W, Yao X, Zheng Z. Rehabilitative effect of music therapy for residual schizophrenia: A one-month randomised controlled trial in Shanghai. British Journal of Psychiatry 1994;165(suppl. 24):38-44. PMID: 7946230
• Results indicated that music has proven to be significantly effective in suppressing and combating the symptoms of psychosis. Silverman, M.J. The Influence of Music on the Symptoms of Psychosis: A MetaAnalysis. Journal of Music Therapy 2003; XL(1) 27-40.
• Depressed adolescents listening to music experienced a significant decrease in stress hormone (cortisol) levels, and most adolescents shifted toward left frontal EEG activation (associated with positive affect). Field, T., Martinez, A., Nawrocki, T., Pickens, J., Fox N.A., & Schanberg, S. (1998). Music shifts frontal EEG in depressed adolescents. Adolescence, 33(129), 109-116.
• Music therapy clients significantly improved on the Aggression/Hostility scale of Achenbach’s Teacher’s Report Form, suggesting that group music therapy can facilitate self-expression and provide a channel for transforming frustration, anger, and aggression into the experience of creativity and self-mastery. Montello, L.M., & Coons, E.E. (1998). Effect of active versus passive group music therapy on preadolescents with emotional, learning, and behavioral disorders. Journal of Music Therapy, 35, 49-67

ADDITIONAL REFERENCES:

The American Music Therapy Association website https://www.musictherapy.org/

Ramchand, R., Schell, T. L., Jaycox, L. H., & Tanielian, T. (2011). Epidemiology of trauma events and mental health outcomes among service members deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. In J. I. Ruzek, P. P. Schnurr, J. J. Vasterling, & M. J. Friedman (Eds.). Caring for veterans with deployment-related stress disorders.Washington, DC, US: American Psychological Association. doi: 10.1037/12323-001

Rorke, M. A. (1996). Music and the wounded of World War II. Journal of Music Therapy, 33(3), 189–207.

U.S. War Department. (1945). Technical Bulletin 187: Music in reconditioning in American Service Forces convalescent and general hospitals. War Department Technical Bulletin, TB Med 187, 1–11. Washington, DC: U.S. War Department.

https://www.wqxr.org/story/14685-music-treat-veterans-ptsd<!

Ainlay, 1948, p. 323

Music Therapy reduces pain perception. Fratianne, R.B, Presner, J.D., Houston, M.J., Super, D.M., Yowler, C.J.& Standley, J.M. (2001).

Blake, 1994; Blake & Bishop, 1994; Burt, 1995

Burns, J. L., Labbé, E. Arke, B., Capeless, K., Cooksey, B., Steadman, A., & Gonzales, C. (2002). The effects of different types of music on perceived and physiological measures of stress. Journal of Music Therapy, 39(2), 101-116.

Cevasco, A. M., Kennedy, R., & Generally, N. R. (2005). Comparison of Movement-to-Music, Rhythm Activities, and Competitive Games on Depression, Stress, Anxiety, and Anger of Females in Substance Abuse Rehabilitation. Journal of Music Therapy, 42(1), 64-80.

Hammer, S. E (1996). The effects of guided imagery through music on state and trait anxiety. Journal of Music Therapy, 33(1), 47-70.

Hanson-Abromeit & Davis, 2007.

Hernández-Ruiz, E. (2005). Effect of Music Therapy on the Anxiety Levels and Sleep Patterns of Abused Women in Shelters. Journal of Music Therapy, 42(2), 140-158.

http://cochranelibrary-wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD006911.pub3

Ramchand, R., Schell, T. L., Jaycox, L. H., & Tanielian, T. (2011). Epidemiology of trauma events and mental health outcomes among service members deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. In J. I. Ruzek, P. P. Schnurr, J. J. Vasterling, & M. J. Friedman (Eds.). Caring for veterans with deployment-related stress disorders. Washington, DC, US: American Psychological Association. doi: 10.1037/12323-001

American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (2003). Caring for the Alzheimer’s disease patient. Retrieved from http://www.aagponline.org/index.php?src=gendocs&ref=caregiving&category=Foundation

http://www.aagponline.org/index.php?src=gendocs&ref=caregiving&category=Foundation

Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (2015). Education and care. Retrieved from http://www.alzfdn.org/EducationandCare/musictherapy.html

Tuppen, J. (2012). The benefits of groups that provide cognitive stimulation for people with dementia. Nursing Older People, 24(10), 20-24

How long does a therapy session last?

Depending on the type of group or individual needs, Music Therapy sessions generally can range between 15-60 minutes.

Initial Assessment

Our Music Therapist will assess cognitive skills, communication abilities, emotional well-being, physical health, social functioning, and each client’s strengths and weaknesses to determine the type of music therapy services that need to be incorporated into their treatment plan.

Treatment Plan

Music Therapists draw from an extensive array of music exercises, strategies and interventions in order to design sessions and select music based upon the individual participant’s treatment plan.

How often should we meet for Music Therapy?

This is something that your Music Therapist will determine during your assessment and your first session. Most individual and group music therapy sessions happen weekly, but there is also the option to meet every 2 weeks, or once a month according what the specific needs of the clients are.

How many weeks or months does Music Therapy lasts?

Some of our Music Therapy clients continue music therapy for months or years. Some come to work on a specific issue or goal, and therapy lasts only a few weeks or months, while others have specific lifelong needs. Some of our participants have been with us for over 10 years

Monitoring the Progress of Music Therapy

As part of the music therapy process, the therapist continually monitors, charts and shares the progress of their patient. It is important they update the goals and objectives of the Senior’s progress, working with family and doctors along the way to ensure that they are on track to reach their medical needs. Sharing with family members allows them the opportunity to incorporate the therapist’s suggestions into the daily routines of the Seniors.

By incorporating the tools from music therapy into all aspects of a patient and their family’s lives and supplying them with the techniques to handle difficult situations, music therapists provide them with the opportunity to create a meaningful and fulfilling life.

Music Therapy shows great promise in movement disorders related to Parkinson’s

Another area where music therapy shows great promise is in the treatment of the movement disorders related to Parkinson’s. Parkinson’s symptoms include slowness of movement, tremor, muscle rigidity, and instability of gait (1) The symptoms stem from the fact that Parkinson’s causes degeneration of parts of the deep brain structures related to movement – the basal ganglia. As the perception of rhythm (in music, for example) activates motor structures such as the basal ganglia, it has been thought that the automatic activation of these areas during music listening could result in motor improvements in Parkinson’s disease (2)

1. Nombela, C., Hughes, L. E., Owen, A. M., & Grahn, J. A. (2013). Into the groove: can rhythm influence Parkinson’s disease?. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 37(10), 2564-2570.

2. haut, M. H., McIntosh, G. C., Rice, R. R., Miller, R. A., Rathbun, J., & Brault, J. M. (1996). Rhythmic auditory stimulation in gait training for Parkinson’s disease patients. Movement Disorders, 11(2), 193-200.

Do I need to know how to read music or play and instrument in order to participate in your program?

Since music therapy addresses non-musical goals, participants do not need prior music training or advanced skill to participate and benefit from Music Therapy sessions.

What are some misconceptions about Music Therapy?

That there is one particular style of music that is more therapeutic than all the rest — this is not the case. All styles of music can be useful in effecting change in a client or patient’s life. The individual’s preferences, circumstances and need for treatment, and the client or patient’s goals help to determine the types of music a music therapist may use.

What’s the difference between Music Therapy and music lessons?

The objective of music therapy is not about teaching someone to play an instrument. The fundamental goal is to address the clinical needs of clients using music interventions.

In the instance of a musically gifted and capable child, the therapist may decide that learning an instrument could be part of the therapeutic process.

Where do Music Sweet Music’s Music Therapists work?

MSM’s Music Therapists assist vast and different populations in the Tampa Bay Area, you will find our Board Certified Music Therapists in rehabilitative facilities, medical hospitals, outpatient clinics, adult day care treatment centers, agencies serving persons with developmental disabilities, senior centers, and in home-patient homes.

The Q-Chord is a fun and motivating digital instrument that strums like a guitar, plays chords like piano and melody like a keyboard. You do not have to know music or be musically inclined to use this instrument. A patient can instantly sound like a pro at the touch of a button. By using the basic features, the player will always sound ‘in tune’ and the ‘strum plate’ has been designed to avoid any ‘wrong notes’, which is very encouraging to someone with special needs!

Our Music Therapists can use the Q-Chord to stimulate interaction amongst the kids in a group session, each kid has to patiently wait their turn. The Q-Chord is not only used to teach patience, it is also used to increase coordination and stimulate the gross and fine motor skills of the user.

Like a video game, the Q-Chord has multiple skill levels and as the patients learns to play, features can be added as they progress. It has 84 different chord combinations, 100 instrument voices and fully orchestrated rhythms using the LCD display, all assignable to the 4 octave strum plate or melody keyboard.

Completely portable, the Q-Chord goes anywhere you want to have fun.

The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) is the largest professional association which represents over 5,000 music therapists, corporate members and related associations worldwide. Founded in 1998, its mission is the progressive development of the therapeutic use of music in rehabilitation, special education, and community settings. AMTA sets the education and clinical training standards for music therapists. Predecessors to the American Music Therapy Association included the National Association for Music Therapy founded in 1950 and the American Association for Music Therapy founded in 1971.

For more information you can visit AMTA’s website:

https://www.musictherapy.org

Every one of our music therapists specializes in at least several instruments and is able to play a minimum of two instruments: guitar, keyboard/piano, percussion, french horn and voice (for chanting, singing, and toning). Music therapists are trained to make the necessary adaptations to make instrument play accessible for all regardless of physical, cognitive, or musical abilities.

Music Therapy can benefit the following populations and conditions: children, adolescents, adults , and the elderly with mental health needs, developmental and learning disabilities, Alzheimer’s disease and other aging related conditions, assisted living facilities, substance abuse problems, brain injuries, physical disabilities, and acute and chronic pain, including mothers in labor, bereavement groups, veterans with PTSD and many more.

Music Sweet Music, Inc. specializes in the treatment of children with a wide range of diagnoses and/or special needs. Music therapy can enhance the quality of life of the child, plus that of the child and his family.

How is Music Therapy utilized in nursing homes?

Music is used with elderly persons to increase or maintain their level of physical, mental, and social/emotional functioning. The sensory and intellectual stimulation of music can help maintain a person’s quality of life.   Board Certified  Music Therapists (BC-MT) choose music selected for the individual or group preference.   Music can release endorphins in  the brain which may reduce anxiety, relieve depression, boost the immune system among other benefits.

MSM, Inc. offers sessions to people living with Dementia or Alzheimers disease, physically frail elderly clients who are functionally dependent, people living with chronic illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, arthritis, Parkinson’s.  Also Music Therapy is offered and can be added to the  managed care elderly persons suffering from stress, anxiety and/or depression.

Various musical instruments can be used by the Music Therapists, such as portable key board, guitar, Q-Chord and others.  Maracas, tambourines and other easily handles instrument can be used by the senior in order to promote participation and mobility.;

Music Therapy in a pediatric medical setting.

In a pediatric medical setting, board-certified Music Therapists are trained to design and implement individualized interventions to address the needs of each child and family. At Music Sweet Music our Music Therapists are highly trained to harness the therapeutic qualities of music and to enable children of all ages to work toward their physiological, cognitive, emotional and social goals.

What is Autism and can Music Therapy help?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disability; signs typically appear during early childhood and affect a person’s ability to communicate, and interact with others. ASD is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a “spectrum condition” that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees. There is no known single cause of autism, but increased awareness and early diagnosis/intervention and access to appropriate services/supports lead to significantly improved outcomes. http://www.autism-society.org

A 2009 study by Kim, Wigram, & Gold found that children with autism showed more emotional expression and social engagement during Music Therapy sessions than in play sessions without music. These children also responded to the therapist’s requests more frequently during Music Therapy than in play sessions without music.

In a group therapy session, a music therapist can use music to increase a child’s social interaction with the other children by asking them to pass or share an instrument, use music as part of a movement game (remember the chicken dance song), learning to listen and sing a hello or good bye, are just a few of the ways music therapy sessions can increase interaction.

Music Therapy for a typically developing child.

Music Therapy is not limited to children with special needs. Typically developing children can also benefit from music therapy, as it provides a solid musical foundation from which a child can build upon. It is not only an educational opportunity, but it is also an enjoyable activity that provides structure and purpose in the child’s life.

Activities in a music therapy session for the typically developing child can include but not be limited to educational concepts through music (colors, shapes, counting, etc., singing/voice instruction, movement to music, sung books/stories.

Music Therapy for members of the military.

Numerous studies of significance over the nearly 70 years of research history in the profession of music therapy are relevant to service members and veterans. Research on music based interventions designed to inform evidence-based music therapy interventions for service members and families is a priority. Collaborative studies, interdisciplinary, and cross-disciplinary research are important undertakings to support service members and their families. Though the music therapy literature has numerous studies that investigate topics relevant to the military, there is a need for more clinical studies to support evolving Music Therapy practices necessary to improve life functions in service members and families across the country.

While many individuals exposed to trauma follow a normal or typical course of recovery from acute stress reactions and acute stress disorder, some develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or PTSD with delayed onset. The signature injuries of recent wars include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI and mTBI), major depression, polytrauma, and a whole host of complicating sequelae such as substance abuse, family conflict, and suicide risk.

Veterans who need more focused treatment are admitted to VA hospitals where they can work with therapists in depth, playing music themselves or listening to their therapists play. Good therapists can link music to a veteran’s psycho-emotional state by using a song with which the patient connects. The patient can then begin to cope with traumatic triggers and other PTSD symptoms.