Parkinsonsism and Music's ability to heal

Sacks, Oliver. Music and the Brain ‘Parkinsonsism and Music’s ability to heal’ (2007)

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/musicinstinct/video/music-and-the-brain/parkinsonsism-and-musics-ability-to-heal/51/

This mini documentary, also found on PBS focuses on Oliver Sacks, the well known physician, author and professor of Clinical Neurology and Psychiatry at Columbia University in New York. Here, he is describing in an interview how he first became aware of and interested in music’s ability to heal, or at least help treat the symptoms of patients suffering from Parkinson's disease.

As a physician he was working in the Bronx, and he saw Parkinson’s patients who were so profoundly affected that they were literally rendered motionless and speechless (the question is also raised as to whether or not they were capable of conscious thought while they were in this state) for hours on end. It was difficult to tell whether or not these patients were even conscious. However, with the assistance of music being played, these patients were able to speak, sing, walk and even dance. They became (almost) fully functioning people, able to function in time with the music. But when the music stopped, so did they. Their motion and function was entirely dependent on the stimulus, and when it was gone, they were unable to function.

Sacks explains that he was stupefied then, and still is just as intrigued by the results now.

Sacks raises the issue that it doesn’t necessarily matter what type of music is played. That is to say that different genres work, and it doesn’t have to be music that is liked or even known by the patient. The most important quality necessary in the music is that it must have some sort of secure rhythm, beat and pulse. The motor responses in the patients are synchronized with the music. Sacks explains that the connections (in mammals) between the auditory parts of the brain and the dorsal pre motor cortex in the brain are connected which helps to explain how hearing music can affect movement.

Reflection:

I first became aware of Sacks’ work through the book ‘Musicophilia’ so I was intrigued to see an interview with him. It was heartening to see his true excitement and passion for helping patients suffering from this disease which to quickly diminishes, to a point of almost oblivion any life quality the patient may have had. I find it astonishing that patients who are so crippled by this disease are helped so tremendously by such simple methods. It is so encouraging to think that research is leading us closer and closer to, if not a cure, then at least significant methods of treatment. Furthermore, treatment which is not based on or around drugs or medication. I feel that far too often these days, the medical community chooses to medicate, and often over medicate patients even when alternatives are available. Hopefully with continued research, and publicity about research like this, the non medicinal alternatives will be seen as equal alternatives. Anything that can be done to give patients back their independence, dignity, and quality of life is worthwhile, and it is so inspiring to see the work that is being done through music for patients with diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer's.