How music therapy soothed the bullet-damaged brain
Brent Bambury, CBC News, on brain-damaged congresswoman Gabby Giffords’s experience with melodic intonation therapy:
One of the therapies that Morrow tried with Giffords is called melodic intonation therapy. It’s an intensive program that was developed after researchers noticed that patients with severe aphasia (the loss of the ability to speak) could sing words and phrases they could no longer speak.
In the ABC TV show last week with Giffords, Morrow is seen working with the congresswoman. trying to get her to say the word “light.”
Giffords can’t vocalize it and she’s clearly frustrated. Then, moments later, as Morrow sings the spiritual This Little Light of Mine, Giffords chimes in forcefully, perfectly forming the word.
Really impressive stuff.