Supporting MND Patients with Music Therapy

For 10 years, Anneliis Way was the senior music therapist at a state-wide progressive neurological diseases health service in Melbourne, Victoria. During this time she supported patients with motor neurone disease (MND) throughout various stages of their disease progression. She is acutely aware of the extreme difficulties and complexities of motor neurone disease as well as the constant losses that people living with motor neurone disease and their families encounter. In this blog she shares how music therapy may support people living with MND as they transition to Non Invasive Ventilation.

What is Motor Neurone Disease?

Motor neurone disease (MND), also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig's disease, affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control muscle movement. This causes muscles used for moving, speaking, breathing, and swallowing to weaken and waste away over time. The disease varies from person to person, with some experiencing slow progression and others deteriorating at a more rapid rate. Sadly, there is no cure for MND at present. Treatments are focused on supporting quality of life and managing symptoms. The average life expectancy after diagnosis is two to three years.

Transition to Non-Invasive Ventilation

Breathing difficulties are common in MND due to weakened respiratory muscles. To alleviate breathing difficulty, many opt for non-invasive breathing support, commonly referred to as non-invasive ventilation (NIV). This form of respiratory assistance involves a machine enhancing airflow into the lungs, typically administered through a mask secured with head straps. In the early stages, NIV is predominantly used at night for better sleep and breathing. NIV use will typically increase as the disease progresses.

Whilst NIV can improve quality of life and provide relief from symptoms such as poor sleep and shortness of breath, transitioning to (NIV) can introduce various stressors that may impact adherence to ventilation use and associated overall quality of life. Research suggests that music therapy interventions could offer significant support during this challenging period.

How Can Music Therapy Help?

In a study by Davies et al. (2016), participants found that music-assisted relaxation helped them sleep better, distract from the mask, reduce their focus on negative thoughts and fears and settle into the NIV routine.

Starting music therapy before using NIV is recommended as it allows the brain to associate particular pieces of music with relaxation, making it easier to relax during NIV use.

Music therapy, provided by registered music therapists like Anneliis, can greatly improve the quality of life for people with MND. To learn more about how music therapy can help, contact Anneliis today.