TMC PULSE

t m c » p u l s e | m a r c h 2 0 1 5 30 To help better understand the science behind the techniques—which include musical speech stimu- lation, melodic intonation therapy, oral motor and respiratory exercises, and rhythmic auditory stimula- tion, among others—and provide some much-needed visibility and support for the field of music therapy— TIRR Memorial Hermann Chief Medical Officer Gerard Francisco, M.D., is overseeing several research projects. TIRR Memorial Hermann has also partnered with Michael Thaut, Ph.D., director of the Center for Biomedical Research in Music at Colorado State University, to bring a music therapist training course to Houston. These are all exciting and promising steps forward for the music therapists who see the results every day. "We do have a large base of research for music therapy, but we are a new field. That's what I have gone back to school to do," said Jarvis. "I am getting my Ph.D. in rehabilitation sciences, so I can learn more about how we can produce the kinds of research that will be generalizable and that we can disseminate so that people can start to take music therapy as a stan- dard part of care. "It's almost a selfish job, because I love seeing the results with these kids. To see the joy in a mom's eyes when her child gets up and walks for the first time because it's easier with music as a stimulation and motivation…I see music therapy making a real differ- ence in my patients. And I just think that's awesome." It's almost a selfish job, because I love seeing the results with these kids. To see the joy in a mom's eyes when her child gets up and walks for the first time because it's easier with music as a stimulation and motiva- tion…I see music therapy making a real difference in my patients. And I just think that's awesome. — JESSICA JARVIS Music Therapist at Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital Memorial Hermann was an early adopter of music therapy, having implemented their program more than 15 years ago to support physical, occupational and speech therapies. However, many patients struggle to find access to music therapists once they leave the hospital, or they face insurers unwilling to cover music therapy sessions. "Unfortunately, they don't offer music therapy where we are going [after leaving TIRR]," said Billy Flowers. "It seems like music therapy is not a profit- able therapy, and so not a lot of folks offer it. I would never wish this on anyone, to have a personal family member go through what Cathy has been through, but if they could see firsthand, they would understand the magnitude of how good this therapy can be. "For us, music was like a key that unlocked the doors inside her head that might otherwise have stayed shut or taken longer to open," he said. "Music therapy has unlocked her potential."

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