Neurological illness can be devastating, affecting millions of people in the U.S. One such disease is stroke, which occurs when the blood supply to the brain is blocked, resulting in speech, motor, or memory impairment. This condition affects over 6 million individuals in the country.
Music therapy student Brian Harris, while studying at the University of Maine, discovered the profound impact of rhythm and music on the brain. Witnessing a wheelchair-bound boy with neurological deficiencies experiencing improvement during a music therapy session sparked his interest in using music interventions to help patients with brain injuries. This led him to establish the first program for treating stroke and brain injury with music interventions at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School.
Using Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS), Brian was able to help patients relearn how to walk with speed and symmetry, surpassing their recovery from other treatment options. The demand for this intervention grew, prompting Brian to partner with Owen McCarthy to develop a digital platform called InTandem. This innovative technology delivers RAS through user-preferred music and is now available via prescription for patients with stroke-related gait impairment.
Another company, Lapsi Health, is utilizing sound and photoplethysmography (PPG) to develop a wireless and digital stethoscope called Keikku. This device integrates software and hardware to standardize the interpretation of auscultatory sounds, providing valuable insights for diagnosis and monitoring of conditions such as asthma, COPD, and heart failure. Keikku can record sound data and integrate it into Electronic Health Records (EHRs), facilitating collaborative decision-making among healthcare teams.
Furthermore, advancements in sound technology have shown potential in impacting the progression of brain diseases. MIT Professors Ed Boyden and Li-Huei Tsai conducted preclinical research demonstrating that restoring gamma waves in the brain through non-invasive stimulation could slow down the progression of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. The Overture study yielded promising results, showing a significant slowing of brain volume loss and functional decline in patients receiving the intervention.
Spectris™, an audiovisual stimulation therapy developed by Cognito, combines sound and light therapy to restore gamma rhythms in the brain. This technology aims to activate genes and proteins that help preserve brain structure and function, particularly in aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Spectris™ is designed for easy use at home, with personalized settings based on individual brain responses, making it accessible to vulnerable populations.
Overall, the integration of sound technology in healthcare is revolutionizing the way we approach neurological illnesses and brain diseases, offering new possibilities for treatment and improving patient outcomes.
Delivering a Safe and Effective Home-Based Therapy
Our goal at our company is to fulfill the promise of delivering a safe, effective, and cost-effective home-based therapy that improves the lives of patients and their families. As we strive to help patients achieve optimal health, we are constantly exploring new technologies that can enhance the therapeutic process.
Utilizing Sound and Rhythm for Better Health
One of the key elements in our quest to provide innovative therapies is the use of sound and rhythm. Research has shown that sound therapy can have a profound impact on both physical and mental well-being. By incorporating sound and rhythm into our home-based therapy programs, we are able to create a holistic approach to healing.
Sound therapy has been found to reduce stress, improve sleep quality, and enhance overall mood. By using sound frequencies that resonate with the body’s natural rhythms, we can help patients achieve a state of harmony and balance. This can lead to improvements in a wide range of health conditions, from chronic pain to anxiety disorders.
Cost-Effective Solutions for Patients and Families
In addition to being safe and effective, our home-based therapy programs are also designed to be cost-effective. We understand the financial strain that medical treatments can place on patients and their families, which is why we strive to offer affordable options that deliver real results.
By utilizing sound and rhythm therapy in the comfort of patients’ own homes, we are able to reduce the need for expensive hospital visits and medical procedures. This not only saves money for patients, but also provides a more convenient and comfortable healing environment.
Overall, our commitment to delivering safe, effective, and cost-effective home-based therapy is driven by a desire to improve the lives of patients and their families. Through the integration of sound and rhythm therapy, we are able to offer a unique approach to healing that can have a lasting impact on overall health and well-being.
