Musicalization of neurological disorders: Songs of love and hope to heal our patients

Abstract

A. To describe the illness and its impact through lyrics. B. To musicalize the condition while combining medicine, music, ethics, and religion. C. To motivate patients to overcome their illness. Patient education not only includes explaining the disease itself but also how it affects the individual. Due to time constraints in everyday practice there has been less opportunity for physicians to share their invaluable experiences. A scientific article may not be able to convey the emotional, social and ethical challenges the patient must face. The presenter has written 10 songs on neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, ALS, stroke, multiple sclerosis/spinal cord injury, myasthenia gravis, etc. He released a music album worldwide, created a website with music videos, used social media to share the music, and performed live at the MS Walk in Fontana, CA and at the 42nd ACOFPCA meeting in Disneyland, CA. The single “Someone Else” was released in Oct 2017, and was a semifinalist for the 2018 ATM Awards.The album “Walk Again” was released in Jan 31 2018 on 37 platforms via Kobalt Music, and publicized in the Korea Daily. To date, all songs have been heard in over 40 countries worldwide with over 20,000 Youtube views, and used to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Association, etc. Music can be a powerful tool in not only raising patient awareness but also therapeutic, providing solace to patients worldwide. Further research is in need to see how music therapy can improve measurable outcomes.