The other day, I had the national broadcaster’s morning radio program on, and an interview with the director of a choir that helped people reconnect after the pandemic caught my attention. One of the things he pointed out was that when the choir members sing in time with each other, their breathing and even heartbeats can become synchronized.
This first struck me as fascinating, but then it made perfect sense. If you are inhaling and exhaling together, following the mood of a particular piece of music, and anticipating what comes next together, it makes sense that the bodies would become internal metronomes and tick together.
It reminded me of how my fellow “band geeks” and I would somehow fall into step whenever two or more of us were walking together through our high school hallways. It became something of a joke for the whole school after we were named state champions. Classmates would sometimes begin “marching” with us without even realizing it … or maybe they were just taking the mick out of us.
Music Makes Us Walk Better and Think Better
These two trains of thought were still in my mind when I came upon a review article on studies of the use of music therapy for multiple sclerosis–related gait, or walking, issues.
Researchers identified more than 400 studies on music therapy, multiple sclerosis, and gait, of which a dozen met the criteria investigators felt warranted further analysis.
They found that most of the studies involved short-term use of music therapy and focused on its transient effects on gait, and they suggest that continued practice could have longer-term positive effects.
Now, what is music therapy with respect to MS?
Music therapy uses a combination of melody and rhythm to engage the brain’s pathways. Think of how you might unconsciously tap your toe (or might have tapped it, if you’ve lost some of that ability) when a favorite song comes on the radio. That automatic reaction is what researchers are trying to “tap” into (sorry for the pun).
By introducing melody and rhythm for as little as 12 minutes, some researchers found immediate improvement in not only gait speed but also in perceived cognitive fatigue as well.
Most of the studies reviewed were designed to examine only short-term improvement. Play the music, walk to the music, walk better than without the music. When the music stopped, however, the benefits soon diminished.
Should We Try This at Home?
While the study results were aimed at therapists who might want to design a treatment plan for individuals with MS, perhaps — as this is surely one of those cases of “if it doesn’t pick my pocket or break my arm … ” complementary and alternative approaches — there is no harm in having a go at it ourselves.
For example, maybe we should all take a page from Snow White, and whistle while we work. It’s old advice, but it just might help … and it can hardly hurt.
Wishing you and your family the best of health.
Cheers,
Trevis
