A device common to today’s teens takes Helen Wik back in time and lifts her mood. Using it, she remembers vividly dancing to the Glenn Miller Orchestra when she was a girl.

“It’s one good way to get close to your boyfriend and nobody gets to know what’s going on while dancing,” Helen says.

At the N.Y.-based Penfield Place Nursing Home, some residents are finding a new way to tap into the healing power of music, after it made such a big difference for Maxine Clyne.

Maxine’s daughter Linda Greve says, “She was sort of like this in her wheelchair. We put it on her and she began to respond. We took a picture of her when she sort of ‘woke up,’ you might say.

Maxine’s son Bill first had the idea of specially selecting music to waken his mother’s memories – and transport her back to her 20s and 30s.

The impact was immediate and dramatic.

Director of Nursing Lisa Frearson says, “She was very responsive to the music because it was very individualized based on her interest as a young adult.  Her anxiety began to dissipate to the point where we no longer had to use medications on her.”

“It seemed like something that was dramatic and innovative and not invasive and very inexpensive and something that could be applied to just about anybody,” says Paul Caccamise of Lifespan.

So a simple idea evolved into a research project to determine whether iPod therapy can help more people live better longer.

Greve says, “I felt like if this could solve the problems of a woman who has dementia who’s legally blind, then I think it could help a lot of people.”

The early indications are promising.

‘We have some of the finest music around here on it.  It’s a big relaxer for everyone!” Helen Wik says.

Clients who use iPods are carefully monitored afterwards to see if there is any change in moods or behaviors.  That clinical information will be compiled as part of the study.
 
Maxine Clyne’s family has used donations to purchase several iPods. They hope to extend the therapy to 30 people. They are looking for donations of iPods or mp3 players, as well as docking and charging stations.

Much as been made about the success of music therapy, but iPod use is a twist on that. Music in a group setting tries to be all things to all people, but this is an individual approach; it’s about reaching people’s personal memories. They need to create song lists that are different for every person, which is another reason they need of iPods and mp3 players.

Source: 13WHAM-TV