Researcher of the Week: Megha Jacob

Mon, 03 Jan 2011 15:48:44 -0500

This research will assess the effects of introducing music therapy (MT) into physical therapy (PT) sessions. Physical illness due to genetic and/or environmental factors (such as Down syndrome or car accident injuries, respectively) can be traumatizing. This is especially true with children because they are expected to cope with so much at a young age. Therapy sessions can be intense and draining for patients and can take a toll on their psychological state. MT, which promotes wellness in individuals by offering therapeutic benefits to the mind through the use of musical involvements, can help offset the psychological fatigue associated with PT. I plan on researching the specific types of physical disabilities for the children at the schools/institutions, so I can better understand the limitations and hazards of each disability. I also plan on attending educational workshops based on music, education, and therapy so that I may work under licensed therapists with both clinical and work experience. I wish to create innovative therapy techniques to incorporate music into therapy sessions by utilizing kinesthetic techniques to respond to sounds, creating group exercises to heighten social skills, and encouraging patients to compose and perform songs to help relieve stress and stimulate their minds. The goal of my research is to examine whether or not the combined use of PT and MT in therapy sessions is positively correlated with the patient’s mental and physical well-being.

To find out more about Megha's research and to view her q&a session, click the URL below!