An Overview of Neurologic Music Therapy®

jessandersonmosaic
Feb 9
2 min read

What is it?

Neurologic Music Therapy® (NMT™) is defined as an evidence-based treatment system that is driven by music neuroscience to treat functional, non-musical goals in the areas of cognition, sensorimotor, and speech and language. It applies advances in neuroscience research and how the brain processes music to further improve brain neuroplasticity and daily function. NMT™ is deeply rooted in the Transformational Design Model, which prioritizes client diagnostics, assessments, long and short term goals to help the clinician properly treat the client. Becoming certified in NMT™ requires training through the Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy® and can only be practiced by NMT™ Affiliates.

NMT System of Standardized Techniques

NMT™ is compromised of 20 different techniques that are used to target the aforementioned goal areas of cognition, sensorimotor, and speech and language.

Cognitive techniques target memory, attention, focus, and more through musical cuing and structuring. Sensorimotor techniques use music and rhythm to target functional movement through the brains intrinsic sense of rhythm. Speech and language target speech and language through different vocal exercises that can sometimes mimic vocal training to redirect phonation, work on respiratory shaping, and more. Read more on the NMT Techniques here.

Who can NMT Help?

Individuals with a brain injury, spinal cord injury, and other neurological injuries
Stroke Recovery
Parkinson's Disease
Alzheimer's and other forms of Dementia
Developmental Disabilities

How is NMT™ Different From "Regular" Music Therapy?

NMT™ differs from traditional music therapy since it views music not within a social science model for well-being, but as a neuroscience model, where music is its own language that is biologically hardwired into our brains. The standardized NMT™ techniques are used to reach specific goal areas that will ultimately create new neural pathways to "rewire" the brain and promote wellbeing, whereas traditional music therapy uses plenty more than the 20 researched techniques to reach a variety of goals, not just neurologically based ones.