Music is a very powerful sensory modulation tool! The therapeutic effects of music on the nervous system are well researched. Literature states that a 60 beat per minute pulse can help entrain healthy internal rhythms. Some important considerations before using music in the environment or during OT treatment sessions include the following: diagnosis, age, culture, environment, personal preferences, sensitivities, and personal history.

Slower paced music with a consistent and predictable rhythm is known for having calming effects on the system, while upbeat & quick paced music is generally alerting and facilitates action/movement. Some popular examples are listed below:

Ambient

Ambient music encompasses a variety of music; most common today are many of the "relaxation tapes" widely available on the market. The purpose of these recordings is to produce a general state of relaxation.

Baroque

Bach & Pachabel: These compositions are consistent and predictable, and have a pulse of approximately 50-70 beats per minute.

Classical

Mozart or Hayden: There is continuity, clarity, and order in these compositions - although they have greater changes in rhythm, time, and color than that of Baroque.

Romantic

Tchaikovsky or Beethoven: Emotional and dynamic compositions known for their strong rhythms, emotional context changes, and unique sound textures which tend to stimulate the imagination.

 

*The instrumentation is another important factor to be considered. For example, drumming is often very grounding, while the violin is generally alerting/orienting.

Consider combining the appropriate music with other "sensory diet" techniques to provide the increased intensity often needed to achieve greater OT treatment outcomes!

Music Therapy Literature

Classical music therapy literature contains a host of valuable information about how music influences the nervous system. This knowledge forms a good foundation for professionals considering the use of music in treatment with individuals with psychiatric diagnoses. It is important to recognize the impact of the music selected and utilized, particularly for this population.

The American Music Therapy Association promotes research on the effects of music and music therapy. Currently, there is a significant amount of literature available.

Sound Therapy

Due to the potentially significant effects on the nervous system, modulated selections should only be used by certified Sound Therapy professionals.

• Modulated Music: this term refers to music that has been processed using an alternating high and low pass filter creating a significant contrast between the upper and lower end of the frequencies.

• Spectral Activation of Sounds: this is a type of modulation (or gating) of the higher spectral portions of the audio range.

This process of filtering and gating music is traced to the works of Dr. Alfred A. Tomatis and is at the core of The Listening Program.

These recordings are used to activate the tiny muscles of the middle ear and to strengthen and retrain the auditory processing mechanism.

The current works and conferences of Sheila Frick OTR/L and her colleagues help therapists to become educated about and certified to utilize modulated music in OT treatment. Due to the "cutting edge" nature of this work, there is little research currently available on the effects of the use of filtered or gated music specifically in OT treatment.

Currently in occupational therapy Sound Therapy has been utilized primarily with the pediatric population, although certified OT's working in psychiatry (including adolescent, adult, and geriatric populations) also are beginning to use this treatment modality and are reporting positive effects!

Finding the "just right" combination…
The use of an appropriate "sensory diet" and the therapeutic use of self with this treatment modality, can serve as a dynamic treatment combination!

Click here for music selections available through this web site!

Aromatherapy is one of the fastest growing yet one of the most misunderstood complementary therapies used today. To use essential oils in hospital settings requires aromatherapy certification by an accredited organization, permission to use by the unit or health care facility, and it needs to be one of the modalities your state licensing board permits you to use as a health care professional. Nurses have been the leaders in bringing this modality to the health care field, although many occupational therapists and physical therapists are currently getting certified to use this modality among a variety of different populations. Massage therapists, chiropractors, physicians, and neurologists are just a few examples of other disciplines recognizing the value of getting certified and safely using clinical aromatherapy in their practices.

For occupational therapists or other health care professionals interested in becoming certified it is necessary to attend a certification course.  Although no one course is recommended by this web site, an example of an aromatherapy certification course is the one offered by Jane Buckle Associates LLC. This course is endorsed by the American Holistic Nursing Association and Certification as a Clinical Aromatherapy Certified Practitioner (CCAP) is awarded after full course completion.

For more information on this certification course and on aromatherapy go to:
www.rjbuckle.com/courses.html#s

The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA)
The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy is an educational, nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing public awareness of the benefits of true aromatherapy. NAHA is actively involved with promoting and elevating academic standards in aromatherapy education and practice for the profession. NAHA is also actively involved in furthering the publics perception and knowledge of true aromatherapy and its safe and effective application in everyday life.

For more information about clinical aromatherapy and about what this organization offers visit: www.naha.org

The following is a general educational handout created to help clients and therapists understand the differences between the use of aromas for aesthetic purposes, clinical aromatherapy, general methods of application, precautions, and resources. It is not all-inclusive and is meant to serve only as an informational resource and not as a treatment protocol.

Clinical & Non-clinical Aromatherapy: An Educational Handout
Compiled by: Marie Chalifour, OTR/L & Tina Champagne, OTR/L

For more information on clinical aromatherapy the following books are recommended:  

Clinical Aromatherapy: Essential Oils in Practice by Jane Buckle

Essential Chemistry for Safe Aromatherapy by Sue Clarke

Manipulating things with our hands is common to everyone and therefore is typically a part of each individual's sensory diet. Do you ever play with your hair, use a rubbing stone, fiddle with your keys in your pocket, or use a stress ball? These are some of the ways we distract ourselves, help to stay alert or try to soothe ourselves. Having a variety of tactile manipulative's available for use has been helpful for both consumers and staff! This picture shows some examples of just a few of the many tactile objects offered on the unit at Cooley-Dickinson Hospital. Putty, tactile books, lotions, powders, clay, assorted art materials, cooking and baking activities are other examples.

It is helpful to keep occupational therapy supplies, equipment and any surplus of supplies in a locked cabinet. This way items can be stored, rationed out as needed and more easily accounted for. Items considered unsafe in certain settings may also be locked safely away into a cabinet, such as thera-band. It also may serve as a place to keep OT modalities such as sound therapy equipment, vibrating and brushing tools. Having a magnetic dry erase board on the outside of the locked cabinet affords the ability to sign out items and keep track of them.

 

The Therapeutic Use of Weighted Blankets

There are a variety of ways to incorporate the use of weight into daily activities and treatment sessions. One example of the therapeutic application of weight is the use of a weighted blanket. It has been used in acute psychiatry among a variety of age groups and populations and is currently perceived by both consumers and staff as one of the most helpful of the sensory tools used by people during crisis states.


Modified version of the 2007 AOTA presentation by Champagne, Mullen & Dickson: Exploring the Safety & Effectiveness of the Use of Weighted Blankets with Adult Populations

Weighted Blanket Presentation References

Note: all research data contained in this power point presentation has been accepted for publication or is going through the acceptance process. Use of this data for any purposes other than personal review requires written authorization by Tina Champagne. M.Ed, OTR/L.


Hospital Trying Blanket Therapy
Article printed in the Republican Newspaper's Health & Science Section
Friday April 28th, 2006
Re-printed with permission from the Republican

New vest offers wearer a portable hug
The Boston Globe

Ways to utilize a weighted blanket:

Lying under a weighted blanket		Wrapping in a weighted blanket while rocking in a glider
Photo taken in: Cooley-Dickinson Hospital 's Adult Acute Inpatient Psychiatric Unit's Sensory Room Northampton, MA USA		Photo taken in: Cooley-Dickinson Hospital 's Adult Acute Inpatient Psychiatric Unit's Sensory Room Northampton, MA USA

 

 

People experiencing symptoms of depression, mania, anxiety, psychosis, paranoia, trauma or detoxification have reported relief from the use of weighted blankets in particular. People with mood disorders, trauma histories, substance abuse histories and those who tend to engage in self-injurious behaviors often report positive effects when using weighted items when feeling stressed, disorganized or when cravings occur. Some use weighted items only when in crisis states, others only when not in crisis states and yet there are others who report it is beneficial at both times. Those who report having a positive effect from the use of weight typically describe it as having a "grounding" effect. However, it is important to stress that for some it may be very alerting to the system. Furthermore, as with any type of stimulation, there are people who report having a noxious or undesirable response to the use of weighted items.

Weighted blankets, vests, lap pads, wrist and ankle weights are examples of weighted items. It is helpful to offer these items in a variety of fabrics and with the option to be able to vary the amount of weight used at any given time. For example, a fleece material may be much preferred over velour.

Examples of weighted items:

 

 

 

Although there have been guidelines established for how much weight to use, how long, and how often, it is a very individual process. Human beings are very dynamic and what works for one person may or may not necessarily work for another. It is important to work with each person and help them determine what helps and how much intensity is most beneficial during different states over time.

It is important to note that when using weighted modalities in hospital settings is it necessary to be able to wash each of the items between use by different people.  Therefore, use caution in the kinds of equipment purchased, being sure that they are machine and/or hand washable and that they will withstand ongoing washings.  When a weighted item is created or purchased specifically for one individual, infection control issues differ because it is not for general use.   However, when used by more than one person this becomes an infection control issue within most healthcare organizations.

A Big Investment

Weighted modalities can be very costly. Therefore, it is essential to shop around, find a vendor that you can contact directly, and one that can help you to customize your order to best fit your needs.

Making your Own Weighted Modalities

For many people, purchasing a weighted modality is beyond their means financially. Therefore, the following downloads are provided to demonstrate ways to make some of the different weighted modalities (weighted blankets, vests, and stuffed animals).

 Make Your Own Weighted Blanket

Make Your Own Weighted Vest (PDF)(to be posted soon)

 Make Your Own Weighted Stuffed Animal, Pillow or Baby Doll

The Weighted Blanket is a book by Diane Walker, MS, OTR/L and Kathleen McCormack, which includes information about the use of weighted blankets and instructions on how to make weighted blankets for the more skilled seamstress.

Enter to Win a Weighted Modality

For those in need, the following opportunities are available to apply to win a weighted modality. Important note: these listings are not ranked in any particular order. Please email this author to inform of any other potential opportunities for those in need @: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Option A: Go to this web address to apply:

http://www.quietquilt.com/contest.html

Option B.: Scroll to the bottom of this page for more information:

http://www.saltoftheearthweightedgear.com/THANK-YOU.html

Option C: Give & take program and the blanket exchange program

http://members.aol.com/mtcustomblankets/GIVE.html