A-Z List


Physically Challenged

Problem Areas for Clients

  1. Limited range of motion (motor dysfunction with bones, muscles or joints)
  2. Pain and stiffness
  3. Poor coordination
  4. Lack of strength
  5. Lack of endurance
  6. Lack of physical activity (may be due to pain, access, or frustration when attempting challenging tasks)
  7. Presence of extraneous (choreoathetoid) movements
  8. Limitations in contact/interaction with others
  9. Lack or loss of social skill
  10. Emotional expression

Music therapy goals for targeting these problem areas

  1. To reinforce muscle exercise
  2. To control positioning
  3. To improve functional motor skill
  4. To increase strength
  5. To improve motor control
  6. To increase endurance
  7. To decrease choreoathetoid movement
  8. To decrease distractibility
  9. To release repressed emotion
  10. To decrease tension and hypersensitivity
  11. To motivate the client to interact with others
  12. To increase self-esteem

Music Therapy methods used for treatment

Activities to Develop Motor Skills:

  1. Piano playing
  2. Playing rhythm instruments
  3. Playing the harmonica and other wind instruments
  4. Exercise to music
  5. Dance

Activities to Develop Social Skills:

  1. Singing
  2. Writing songs
  3. Playing musical instruments
  4. Participating in vocal or instrumental ensembles
  5. Participating in musical plays and operettas
  6. Participating in lyric discussion
  7. Art activities paired with music
  8. Drama activities paired with music
  9. Dance
  10. Improvisation (vocal, instrumental,dance)

Special considerations:

When working with people with physically handicaps to perform the music, therapist must know exactly what exercises or type of movements should be encouraged or discouraged and how to move and position the patient. Working closely with trained physical therapists and occupational therapists is a necessity