Connecting with patients through music

After suffering a stroke, a patient was non-verbal and struggling to communicate effectively, making participation in therapies challenging.

As part of her treatment, the patient met with Margaret Ries, an occupational therapist in acute care at UCHealth University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

Ries, eager to determine the patient’s interests and strategize ways to improve her communication, decided to try something new in their therapy session: play music.

“Sometimes through music I can determine what someone might be interested in,” said Ries.

She opened Spotify on her iPhone, scrolled through playlists and clicked play on funk music. Three songs into the soundtrack came a tune from Bill Withers.

“Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone, it’s not warm when she’s away…” emerged from Ries’ iPhone speakers.

To Ries’ surprise and delight, the patient began silently mouthing the words along with the song.

“You could tell her mouth was moving to the words of the lyrics,” said Ries. “And she was brighter and more participatory in our session.”

Once Ries learned the patient enjoyed music, she continued to play songs during each therapy session afterwards. The unit even located a stereo to leave in the patient’s room so others could play music and keep her engaged throughout the day.

Ries frequently uses music with patients for motivation and to improve level of alertness to be able to participate in therapy. She trials different types of music genres, DJ’ing until she finds that connection, relying on a patient’s body movements and facial expressions to reveal their interests.

“Music really brings out people’s personalities and allows you to communicate better with them,” said Ries. “It’ll improve their level of alertness and ability to participate in therapy sessions. In addition, it just helps to build rapport.”

Ries finds music to be an intriguing piece to a patient’s cognition and learning their personality. She often orders music therapy for her patients in the hospital.

Recently, colleague Mary Flanagan submitted a Celebrating You recognition for Ries.

“She often plays music for patients to brighten treatment sessions and has a particular knack for picking the patient’s genre,” Flanagan wrote in the recognition. “Her patience, attention to detail and compassion is exemplary and her patients often ask when the next time she will be in to brighten their day. Her clinical practice defines “patient’s first.””