Music and Vital Signs

Subject: Music and Vital Signs
From: Ebbie
Date: 20 Sep 00 - 02:20 AM

I just came from a town hall meeting formatted along the lines of Bill Moyers' On Our Own Terms. Afterward there was some discussion on a 'new' service, that of music that is based upon the vital signs- breath, pulse, blood pressure- of a terminally ill patient. Allegedly, it has a over-all therapeutic effect in general, and specifically, on pain.

The therapy is supposedly covered by insurance in Montana. Has anyone else heard of this?

Ebbie

Subject: RE: Music and Vital Signs
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Sep 00 - 05:08 AM

Ebbie, I vaguely recall reading something about it a while ago. You might want to check this site: www.musictherapy.org.

Subject: RE: Music and Vital Signs
From: Ebbie
Date: 20 Sep 00 - 12:23 PM

Thanks, kat- but this is an adjunct of music therapy that doesn't seem to be covered in that thread. It's a therapy that is specific to the last hours of life.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: Music and Vital Signs
From: Alice
Date: 20 Sep 00 - 12:48 PM

Ebbie, I'm in Montana. What is the name of the insurance?

Alice

Subject: RE: Music and Vital Signs
From: Ebbie
Date: 20 Sep 00 - 01:10 PM

Alice, that I don't know either. But the school is in Missoula.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: Music and Vital Signs
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Sep 00 - 01:57 PM

Here you go, Ebbie, from this website:

An ancient art in caring for the dying has resurfaced as a new type of therapy in the 1990's. Under the Chalice of Repose Project, Inc., Saint Patrick's Hospital in Missoula, Montana offers a unique end-of-life patient care program and graduate level school of music-thanatology. It includes both a palliative-clinical practice and an educational program. The mission of the project is to help the dying with prescriptive music. The roots of this therapy lie within the almost forgotten teachings of the eleventh century French order of Cluny monks who used to assist the dying to a "blessed death." The music is individualized to the patients needs and usually delivered using voice or harp. Lynn Johnson has photographed this therapy on her site. The core of this work is the new field of music-thanatology developed by Therese Schroeder-Sheker. Ms Schroeder-Sheker started her work while studying to be a concert harpist twenty years ago. Working as a nurse's aide in a geriatric home, she discovered that even the most difficult patients responded positively to her voice when she sang to them. She never forgot the effect her music had on the dying. In the early 1990's she came to Saint Patrick's Hospital and founded the Chalice of Respose's clinical practice and school. Her work was highlighted in Marion Webb's "A Good Death." Her experiences and philosophy can be found at her web article " Musical Midwifery for the Dying." The process has been compared to the eastern philosophy of a conscious death. The process is intensely spiritual and palliative for the dying. Physicians and family have both written positive testimonials for the the Chalice of Repose Project.

Subject: RE: Music and Vital Signs
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Sep 00 - 02:16 PM

Here are some related websites:

St Patrick's in Montana

A research paper comparing conventional medicine and music thanatology for end stage Altzheimers

A Denver Post article on the founder of music thanatology

This is really interesting and exciting, Ebbie, thanks for bringing it up.

kat

Subject: RE: Music and Vital Signs
From: Ebbie
Date: 20 Sep 00 - 02:46 PM

Thanks!!

Ebbie