Melodic Intonation Therapy

The areas of the brain that control language processing are located mostly on the left side of the brain. However, expressive language (i.e., singing) is controlled by the right side of the brain. More than 50 years ago, researchers noted that many people with aphasia who lost the ability to use spoken language could still sing and learn songs.

A technique, called melodic intonation therapy, is now being used to help some stroke patients with aphasia improve their ability to communicate. It involves using melody (a high note and low note) and rhythm (long duration of tone and short duration) to slowly and continuously sing multi-syllable words.

Gottfried Schlaug, M.D., Ph.D., Neurologist/Neuroscientist with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, says the musical expression engages the right hemisphere and reinforces little-used pathways on that side of the brain. Hopefully, over time, the brain learns to preferentially use these pathways for more language processing functions, enabling the patient to express his/her thoughts through a “sing-song” style of communication. Eventually, some patients even regain the ability to use speech.

Schlaug is currently using MRI scans to study the brains of patients who are having musical intonation therapy. Investigators want to know how the therapy works on the brain, what changes occur and if the therapy may be better than other types of speech-language therapy.

Experts say musical intonation therapy doesn’t work for everyone and takes intense work and hours of practice every day. It’s best for patients who have Broca’s aphasia, or those who have the ability to understand language, but aren’t able to verbally express their own thoughts. The therapy is covered by some insurance companies.

Researchers are still looking for volunteers for the brain imaging study. For more information, check out http://www.musicianbrain.com/projects_aphasia.html.

AUDIENCE INQUIRY
Researchers are still looking for volunteers for the brain imaging study. For more information, check out http://www.musicianbrain.com/projects_aphasia.html.

For information on aphasia:
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, http://www.asha.org
The National Aphasia Association, http://www.aphasia.org

For information on stroke:
American Heart Association, http://www.americanheart.org, or contact your local chapter
American Stroke Association, http://www.strokeassociation.org
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, http://www.ninds.nih.gov