The magic of music: Support group, MSU students, professor help people with PD

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The magic of music: Support group, MSU students, professor help

people with Parkinson's stay active

Marjory O'Connor was losing her voice to Parkinson's disease.

So O'Connor, 70, of East Lansing, began to sing.

Working with a music therapist, she does breathing exercises, vocal

scales and songs in different languages.

The result: A stronger, clearer voice.

" I didn't know there was such a thing, " O'Connor said of music

therapy. " It very definitely is helping. "

That's the word a local Parkinson's disease support group is trying

to spread, with help from a professor and students in Michigan State

University's music therapy program.

A growing body of research shows music therapy can help rebuild

pathways in the brain that allow people with Parkinson's to walk and

talk more normally.

" Music therapy isn't a cureall, " said Smeltekop, an MSU

professor of music therapy who often brings students to work with the

local Parkinson's support group. " Many times we need a collaborative

approach with other therapies. "

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