Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Singing in unison: The neuroscience, art and therapy of music

Fogg-Rogers, Laura A.

Authors

Profile Image

Dr Laura Fogg Rogers Laura.Foggrogers@uwe.ac.uk
Associate Professor of Knowledge Exchange in Engineering



Abstract

Imagine a world where you can’t speak. It’s that tip of the tongue moment which frustrates us all, but is an everyday reality for people with aphasia. This language disorder results from brain damage like stroke, when the brain area responsible for organizing words is starved of oxygen and dies. So picture an aphasia sufferers’ surprise when words flow out while singing. It’s an eccentricity of the brain; while words are used in speech and song, the brain areas responsible for ordering them are in very different places. Our creative right hemisphere controls song, while the logical left hemisphere sorts out speech. Now our team of scientists and musicians are looking at ways we can use singing as therapy. Firstly, singing may help bring back language, by encouraging brain rewiring. Secondly, singing helps people with communication problems practice words. Finally, being part of a choir helps isolated people make friends. Our model of music therapy, ‘Choral Singing Therapy’, brings together people with communication difficulties to practice vocal exercises and popular song singing. We’ve shown that participants have higher mood, social participation and self-efficacy than the norm, and improved quality of life. In this talk, I explain our collaboration and explore the neuroscience, art and therapeutic potential of singing in a choir.
http://www.sciculture.ac.uk/ignite-film-singing-in-unison-the-neuroscience-art-and-therapy-of-music/

Citation

Fogg-Rogers, L. A. (2014, March). Singing in unison: The neuroscience, art and therapy of music. Presented at AHRC Science in Culture Ignite 2014, London, UK

Presentation Conference Type Speech
Conference Name AHRC Science in Culture Ignite 2014
Conference Location London, UK
Start Date Mar 26, 2014
End Date Mar 26, 2014
Publication Date Mar 26, 2014
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Keywords choral singing therapy, singing, public engagement, aphasia, Parkinson's disease, choir
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/820024
Publisher URL http://www.sciculture.ac.uk/project/ignite-film-laura-fogg-rogers-singing-in-unison-the-neuroscience-art-and-therapy-of-music/
Related Public URLs http://www.sciculture.ac.uk/
Additional Information Title of Conference or Conference Proceedings : AHRC Science in Culture Ignite 2014