Institute for Music and Neurologic Function
Encyclopedia
The Institute for Music and Neurologic Function is a US nonprofit organization conducting research into and applying music therapy
. It is located in The Bronx
, New York City
.
The institute—a member of the Beth Abraham Family of Health Services—has for 35 years conducted clinical research studies on the effects of music on the human condition. The tax-exempt private foundation
was founded in 1995. It is directed by music therapist Dr. Concetta M. Tomaino
with scientific guidance from the neurologist Oliver Sacks
.
Its aim is to restore, maintain and improve the physical, emotional and neurologic functioning in people who have been debilitated through stroke
, trauma, dementia
, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's and other processes through the systematic use of music. The director of the institute Dr. Concetta M. Tomaino states that "If you're stimulating almost every key component of our brain at one time, you have a way of reaching areas of the brain that are still functioning."
The mission of the institute is to develop and apply music-based therapies
emanating from new discoveries and educational collaborations within the international research and treatment communities.
The institute claims results of their treatment such as regaining memory loss, rebuilding motor skills, calming and counteracting apprehension or fear, promoting movement for physical rehabilitation, and recovering language skills.
Music therapy
Music therapy is an allied health profession and one of the expressive therapies, consisting of an interpersonal process in which a trained music therapist uses music and all of its facets—physical, emotional, mental, social, aesthetic, and spiritual—to help clients to improve or maintain their...
. It is located in The Bronx
The Bronx
The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. It is also known as Bronx County, the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated...
, New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
The institute—a member of the Beth Abraham Family of Health Services—has for 35 years conducted clinical research studies on the effects of music on the human condition. The tax-exempt private foundation
Private foundation
A private foundation is a legal entity set up by an individual, a family or a group of individuals, for a purpose such as philanthropy. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is the largest private foundation in the U.S. with over $38 billion in assets...
was founded in 1995. It is directed by music therapist Dr. Concetta M. Tomaino
Concetta M. Tomaino
Dr. Concetta M. Tomaino, D.A., MT-BC, LCAT , is a pioneer in the field of music therapy for individuals suffering the effects of stroke or other brain trauma or are afflicted with such degenerative neurological diseases as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s...
with scientific guidance from the neurologist Oliver Sacks
Oliver Sacks
Oliver Wolf Sacks, CBE , is a British neurologist and psychologist residing in New York City. He is a professor of neurology and psychiatry at Columbia University, where he also holds the position of Columbia Artist...
.
Its aim is to restore, maintain and improve the physical, emotional and neurologic functioning in people who have been debilitated through stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
, trauma, dementia
Dementia
Dementia is a serious loss of cognitive ability in a previously unimpaired person, beyond what might be expected from normal aging...
, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's and other processes through the systematic use of music. The director of the institute Dr. Concetta M. Tomaino states that "If you're stimulating almost every key component of our brain at one time, you have a way of reaching areas of the brain that are still functioning."
The mission of the institute is to develop and apply music-based therapies
Music therapy
Music therapy is an allied health profession and one of the expressive therapies, consisting of an interpersonal process in which a trained music therapist uses music and all of its facets—physical, emotional, mental, social, aesthetic, and spiritual—to help clients to improve or maintain their...
emanating from new discoveries and educational collaborations within the international research and treatment communities.
The institute claims results of their treatment such as regaining memory loss, rebuilding motor skills, calming and counteracting apprehension or fear, promoting movement for physical rehabilitation, and recovering language skills.