A-Z List


Head Injury

Annotated Journals


Cohen, N. S. (1998). The use of superimposed rhythm to decrease the rate of speech in a brain-damaged adolescent. Journal of Music Therapy. 25, 2. 85.

This article deals with the a subject that often goes hand-in-hand with head injuries: brain damage. This damage is the reason that verbal communication, namely speaking, is so difficult. This article touches on the subject of Melodic Intonation Therapy.(MIT) MIT involves pairing speaking with rhythms and physical movement of the hand opposite the side of damage in the brain. Words are said in a rhythmic way and the hand is tapped in the same rhythm. MIT builds a "bridge" within the brain over the damaged area. With time and patience, speech is recovered.

This article’s main focus is on reducing the rate of speech to a "normal" level. This is done by saying or singing words while walking, clapping or pacing to a specified rhythm. It is also mentioned that this therapy was effective even two years after the brain had healed. Working on speech with Music Therapy using rhythms is a successful practice whether the head injury has happened recently or in the past.