Music therapy has been proven to be powerful tool in the recovery of hospital patients and the program at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children is no different.
The music therapy program, launched in January of 2016, is the clinical, evidence-based use of music to help individuals with physical, behavioral, psychological and/or social needs.
It has been donated to the hospital, through instruments and donations that help pay the salary of the music therapist, and has been successful thus far, according to the hospital.
It's funded through May, at which time, the hospital says it will need someone to donate to maintain the program, which it says has sped up recovery times for patients.
John Michael Morman, 17, entered the music therapy program when he was admitted to the hospital for scoliosis treatment.
His parents, Johnnie and Mike Morman, says the music therapy helped him cope with a five-month long hospital stay.
"It could take a day that had started out not being so well and turn it into a day that was normal or good," says Mike Morman.
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They say they witnessed the transformation in their son in each session with board certified music therapist Sarah Coury-Rios.
"By having music therapy here, it really gives them control over their environment and it allows them to just kind of be a kid again without anyone else telling them how to be a kid," says Coury-Rios.
According to Texas Scottish Rite, music therapy helps alleviate fear and anxiety, helps to normalize the hospital environment, offers opportunities for choice and control and teaches healthy coping skills.
It can also aid in relaxation/sleep, enhance mood, provide multi-sensory stimulation and improve self-esteem.
When John Michael left the hospital, his team used music therapy to transition him to home life and it shortened the transition time, according to a hospital spokesperson.
Monetary gifts and other donations are accepted.
The gifts are used to purchase instruments, books and CDs, to sponsor musical events, and to fund special music programs.
To learn more on the program, click here.
