The Institute for Neuro - Physiological Psychology
Musica Medica - INPP
Musica Medica is a modern non invasive method of stimulating the human body and brain using music with vibration. It uses two sensory inputs – touch – transmitted via two small transducers which are applied to different parts of the body, and hearing via traditional headphones, to initiate enhanced brain reactions based on the principles of vibro-acoustics.
Vibro-acoustics has been around for many years and has been successfully used for the treatment of a range of disorders. Musica Medica is a gentle method of stimulation developed in Switzerland and Poland by Professor Yair Schiftan and researched at The Academy of Special Education in Warsaw. Using the latest methods of brain research where the activity of neurological structures can be viewed, the effects of Musica Medica have been researched and confirmed by various authors and dissertations studying in departments of child development, special education and medicine at the University of Warsaw. The stimulation causes changes within the nervous system, which can affect both the brain and the body in a number of different ways.
In a series of pilot studies the method has been shown to be effective in providing symptomatic relief and support for a wide range of disorders including:
- Neuro-rehabilitation
- Auditory processing problems
- Hyper-sensitivity in Autistic Spectrum Disorders
- Special educational needs
- Speech and language disorders
- Sleep disorders
- Symptoms of stress including fear, depression, aggression and social interaction.
- Preparing the brain and body for movement
- Symptomatic relief of muscular back pain
- Improved relaxation
The Institute for Neuro-Physiological Psychology (INPP) in Chester has recently added Musica Medica to the services it can provide to children with special educational needs and adults suffering from emotional problems.
Treatment with Musica Medica at INPP involves:
- Initial consultation (and hearing test)
- Three sessions of 25 minutes per week for a period of three months, or purchase of the Musica Medica device and daily use at home.
- Final hearing assessment
Further information on Musica Medica can obtained at www.musicamedica.ch or info@musicamedica.ch or by reading, “The Musica Medica Therapy Method” by Y. Schiftan and A. Stadnicki. Published by Academia Musica Medica. Switzerland. 2006.
Application of the Acoustic Vibrational Musica Medica
Method in Special Education and Medicine – A summary
Prof. Dr Y.Schiftan, Prof. Dr A. Stadnicki
Music has been used therapeutically from the outset of human civilisation. Music is a mirror image of the human being and the sum of the neuro-physiological rhythms of the person who is producing the music. When using Musica Medica the listener becomes part of the instrument(s) producing the music.
When exposed to music and its vibrations, via the Musica Medica method, the listener receives an acoustic and somatosensory transmission of the fundamental human rhythms. The listener’s organism oscillates until it adjusts to these rhythms. It is comparable with the feeling of being rocked to sleep by a mother while listening to her singing.
Applications of Musica Medica in medicine
Emotional support: Before, during and after surgical intervention and dental treatment. Also used in cases of anxiety and depression.
Cardiology and respiratory therapy: Regulation of blood pressure, stabilisation of circulation, strengthening of blood vessels and the respiratory system.
Pain regulation: Acute and chronic pain such as during various procedures, in rheumatism, whip-lash, migraine etc.
Immunology: Positive stimulation of the immune system, e.g. faster wound healing. Chronobiology: Disturbances of sleep/wake cycles, consequences of jet-lag or shift-work.
Neuro-rehabilitation: Patients after a stroke or suffering from lack of concentration, Alzheimer’s, other forms of dementia or Parkinson’s disease react positively to Musica Medica Therapy.
Pregnancy and giving birth: Stimulation before, during and after birth.
Music selection in Musica Medica Therapy
The acoustic and somatosensory stimulation via Musica Medica allows the healing effect of music to penetrate the body in a reinforced way, stimulating and activating body and mind holistically.
The selection of music is designed to respond to individual needs. The choice ranges from Gregorian Chant, to popular songs, works by Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart and other composers to lullabies and instrumental music.
Scientific background
The human organism is an extremely complex system in which all parts are intimately linked and influence each other.
The studies by Stein and Meredith, 1984, show the potentiating effect (increased brain activation) of multisensory cells in the superior colliculus (area of the brain which organises the integration of sensory perception). The whole body therefore responds with a reinforced reaction to simultaneous acoustic and somatosensory stimulation.
When the body and brain are stimulated via acoustic and somatosensory stimuli, the limbic system among others is also aroused. This system is responsible for feelings and emotions. Music stimulates the production of endorphins (the body’s natural opiate) and other neurotransmitters responsible for euphoric feelings and reduced pain perception (A. Goldstein 1981) and also activates the immune system in a modulatory way (N.Plotnikoff, 1985).
Latest evidence from the observation of patients suffering from phantom pain suggests that pain is a perception that can be changed and modulated in the somatosensory area, and consequently pain perception possesses a certain plasticity (Y.Schiftan 2001).
It is believed that local stimulation via transducers of vibrations changes the transition of pain in the spinal cord
(Melzack 1964, Gate Control Theory).
The study conducted by B. Maess and S. Koelsch, 2001, explains the direct effect of music on language as both are processed in the same areas of the brain, Broca and Wernicke centres.
When the brain is stimulated via Musica Medica, positive effects are seen in patients who suffer from depression, stroke, Alzheimer’s, dementia or Parkinson’s disease. PET (positron emission tomography) demonstrates in these morbidities hypometabolism (reduced glucose and oxygen metabolism) as well as a hypoperfusion (diminished blood flow in the brain) (L.A. Marco 1995).
Musica Medica reactivates the brain while metabolic turnover and blood flow are increased and at the same times various brain areas responsible for motricity, language, memory, emotions etc. start to become activated.
Summary of Abstracts:
1. Speech in hearing impaired children
Methodology: Two girls, aged 6 and 7, with verified hearing impairment, therapy duration was three months.
Results of the intervention:
Case study no.1: 7 year-old girl. Musica Medica helped to release blockages. The speech pathological assessment for the hearing impaired showed improved results. Greater self-confidence and increased relaxation. Pronounciation more accurate. The girl was more willing to talk about her problems, her vocabulary increased and she was more talkative.
Case study no.2: 6 year-old girl. After a number of sessions she was able to reproduce melodies and simple rhythms, the words appearing in the songs were pronounced correctly. Improved results in speech pathological evaluations and improved comprehension of language when in a relaxed state. She showed increased confidence and was more willing to communicate. Her grammar also improved as well as her pronunciation. She made less unclear sounds at the end of sentences and her range of vocabulary increased. Vowels were pronounced more accurately and she participated better in a team. She was able to concentrate better, was more relaxed and generally more willing to share emotions with an enhanced sense of self esteem.
2. Stimulation of residual hearing in children with severe hearing loss
Methodology: subjects were three severely hearing impaired children with hearing loss greater than 100dB, aged 8 years (Grade 2). Duration of the intervention was three months with 30 sessions for each child, a total of 90 sessions. 3 sessions per week, 11 to 18 minutes duration per session.18 introductory sessions for each patient, then study intervention from 13 March 2000 until 14 June 2001.
Results after intervention with Musica Medica: Increase in hearing sensitivity. Improved sound of speech. Improved comprehension of spoken language. Improved voice and speech quality, easier to understand, more melodious and more rhythmical. Improved behaviour (calmer and more courteous). More initiative shown in starting a conversation. Improved communication skills.
3. Aggressive children with mild mental disability
Methodology: Three children were the subjects aged 13, 14 and 16 years and were observed over three months 3 x per week. This made 36 sessions for each child with a total of 108 sessions. Duration of sessions was 45 minutes. The control group (three children) listened to the music without vibrations. All children were aggressive, violent and showed challenging behaviour. Blood pressure and pulse rate were measured before and after the intervention.
Results after application of Musica Medica: Reduction in aggressive behaviour. Positive emotional changes. Relaxation. Increased concentration. Relaxation in situations of conflict, tension and stress. Reduction of undesirable displays of anger and aggression. Ability to enter into a fantasy world and have dream projects enhanced. Increased need to urinate. Reduced pain perception. No positive changes were observed in the control group.
4. Aggressive behaviour in children
Methodology: Eight students of Grade 6, four girls and four boys, 132 sessions of 30 minutes each. The children showed severe behavioural disturbances such as high levels of aggressiveness and maladaption.
Results of the Musica Medica intervention: In the therapy group, anti-social behaviour was reduced, contrary to the control group where it worsened significantly. The therapy group showed less aggressiveness and irritability, less negativity, mistrust, and verbal aggression. There was also a reduction in self-protective behaviour. There were no differences noted between boys and girls in the degree of reduction of aggressiveness.
5. Aggressiveness
Effects of the Musica Medica method on reduction of aggressiveness in adolescents with mild mental disability.
Methodology: 4 adolescents were in the therapy group. They were seen 3 x per week for sessions of 30 to 45 minutes. This made a total of 30 sessions each over a period of 2 1/2 months. Every three weeks they did a questionnaire regarding their level of aggressiveness.
Results after the Musica Medica intervention: Przemek: 18 years, always fell asleep after 10 minutes and was sad. Jacek: 18 years became relaxed, chatty and trusting. Andrzej: 19 years, could not always relax. Piotr, 20 years opened up and became more chatty.
In general, it was observed that only a slight reduction of certain forms of aggressiveness could be obtained. The Musica Medica therapy clearly had a positive influence on the sense of well-being, calm and relaxation.
6. Anxiety
Methodology: Three female students aged 26, and a male 25 with visible signs of high anxiety according to the Jannet Taylor questionnaire. Duration of the study was from 5th December 2000 until 1st March 2001. Therapy was done x2 per week with sessions of 30-45 minutes.
Results of the Musica Medica Therapy: The questionnaire showed that anxiety diminished significantly. The higher the initial anxiety the larger the total reduction at the conclusion of the study.
7. Anxiety in adolescents with mental disability
Methodology: Four adolescents were subjects with a mild mental disabilities. They received 27 sessions over 2 months, 3 x per week of 30 to 45 minutes per session. The transducers were placed on the inner side of the wrists.
Results after application of Musica Medica: Diminution of symptoms of anxiety. Increased ability to communicate feelings,. increased social skills. Improved stimulation of the hearing apparatus. Increased creativity. Improved well-being. Reduction in unwanted behaviours. Two of the adolescents however showed an increase in anxiety symptoms.
8. Autistic child (single case study)
Methodology: This trial was conducted over four months with a child with autism spectrum disorder. The child was withdrawn and had no verbal communication with the environment.
Results after intervention with Musica Medica: Eye contact was established. The child knelt in front of a mirror and looked in a highly concentrated fashion at himself for 5 minutes (prior to this intervention he could do this for a maximum of 20 seconds). Increased emotional contact with therapist. Increased inner calm. Improved motor skills (has learnt to catch a ball). Improved memory and independent execution of certain exercises. Ability to keep eye contact with a person speaking to him. Visible joy at gesticulating and vocalising. Standing in front of the mirror and holding a microphone while dancing and singing. When drawing, new shapes such as cars, a page from a book and geometrical shapes were sketched. Tried to say the sounds a, o u, t m. Lost the fear of putting on the headphones
9. Speech pathology with 6-year old children with dyslalia
Methodology: Subjects were three 6-year old children with dyslalia in the intervention group and three children in the control group. The study was done over 2 months, 2 x per week with sessions of 20 minutes.
Results after application of Musica Medica: Slight influence on the improvement in sibillant sounds. Slight improvement in pronunciation. Increased motivation for cooperation. Emotional state: Smile on the face, moving to the rhythms of the music. Unwillingness to finish the session.
10. Hyperactive pre-schoolers
Methodology: Five pre-school children aged between 3 and 6 years participated. Hyperactivity was confirmed by educators and parents and verified via specific tests. Ten different characteristics were measured in this study: Among others, restlessness, mood changes, outbursts of anger, tantrums, over-reactions, lack of concentration. The intervention took place over three months with 36 sessions of 10 to 30 minutes for each child.
Results after intervention with Musica Medica: Relaxation and calm. Relief and relaxation felt when physically active. A reduction in non-desired physical over-activity.
11. Children with Dyslexia
Methodology: Three children with 24 sessions per child. Three children were in the control group. Duration of the intervention from October 2000 to April 2001. The children showed disturbances of cognitive and motor function, and disturbances of visual and acoustic memory. They also had poorly developed fine motor skills, and an increased need for movement and increased verbal activity. They tended to over react and had difficulty in concentrating. They also tended to over-react with tension and restlessness.
Results of the Musica Medica intervention: Notable increase in reading speed. Improved comprehension of the text they had read. Improved spelling during spelling tests. Improved spelling during creative writing. Improved copy-writing. Observation of the children during the intervention showed they worked much faster and more accurately and made less mistakes when analysing and synthesising longer sentences. Muscle tension was reduced, resulting in improved fine motor skills. At the end of the intervention the children were more pro-active, more disciplined and more conscientious. The will to improve their own results increased. The children were interested in the exercises and made new suggestions. At the end of the therapy intervention they showed increased perseverance, improved well-being, increased interest in the exercises, greater concentration, improved verbal flow, increased originality and richer mental associations. There was an atmosphere of well being and mutual sympathy which had developed. The children became more trusting and were more confident.
13. Memory
Methodology: Two hypotheses were formulated: positive influence on visual memory and positive influence on the ability to lip read in hearing impaired children. Two groups were chosen, an experimental group with 3 girls and a control group with 2 girls and 1 boy, all aged between 10 and 12 years. All children were wearing hearing aids. Therapy: 3 x per week during 3 months of 36 sessions, totalling 100 sessions. Duration of each session: 15 to 20 minutes. Memory tests were taken before the intervention, after two months into the therapy course and at the end of the therapy.
Memory tests:
1. Digit span test.
2. Number series.
3. Rosanow-Test: Spatial memory, pictures hidden in 16 fields.
4. Picture memory span test. Finding a picture among 24 previously shown pictures.
5. Test of the memory for abstract shapes.
6. Test of the memory for numbers from lip reading, single words as well as whole sentences that described a situation were tested
Results after application of Musica Medica:
More points in the picture memory span test, more points in the test on abstract shapes, more points in the test for spatial memory. A 50% increase in points gained in comparison with the control group.
Results of the ability to lip read : constant improvement during the therapy in comparison with the control group at the end of the therapy. Better results in lip reading in comparison to the control group by 50%. It was observed, that the experimental group solved the problems faster with less insecurity and without much hesitation. At the end of the therapy a general feeling of well-being and activation was observed.
14. Pain
Methodology: Three patients, aged between 20 and 25 years, after amputation of a lower limb.
All three suffered from severe phantom pain. Intervention: During three months 3 times per week, approximately 13 sessions per month. Duration of the sessions: 1st month: 15 minutes, 2nd month: 15 minutes, 3rd month: 45 minutes.
The vibrators (transducers) were usually held against the amputated stump where the phantom pain was perceived. When wearing prostethics, the vibrators were positioned onto the sternum or held in the hands. Pain was monitored on a scale of 1 to 4 (1= severe pain, 4=no pain)
Results after intervention with Musica Medica: By the end of the therapy the phantom pain had completely disappeared. During the therapy, reduction of pain intensity, increased well-being, assessment of individual life situation, and making plans for the future.
Areas of application for Musica Medica in special education : A meta-analysis of research studies conducted in 2000 and 2001 in Warsaw, Poland
Through the fruitful cooperation with the Academy of Special Education in Warsaw, Poland (with 10’000 students the largest training body for special education teachers in Poland) under the direction of Professor Dr A.Stadnicki all the projects were conducted as empirical research projects at a Master’s or Post-graduate Diploma level.
The heterogenous field of application and the overall positive results, with a range of conditions such as hearing impairment, blindness or mentally disability , dyslexia, hyperactivity, aggressiveness, anxiety, speech impairment or autism in children and adolescents showed the importance of the central role of brain stimulation via music and music vibration. A common denominator through all the tests and observations were the well-being, calm, level of relaxation and motivation attained, which in turn created the best conditions for numerous learning processes.
These studies are to be considered as pilot studies as they examined small numbers of subjects and were conducted over only three months on average.
The results however are important indicators for the future research into the effects of the acoustic-vibrational Musica Medica method in the field of special education.
