A healthy nervous system is predicated on having optimal activation and fuel delivery.  I have discussed many principles of metabolic function including supplementation and dietary recommendations.  Being a sensory based system our brains are dependent on sensory stimulation and information that summates the firing of neurons in the brain.  By using modalities to stimulate various receptors of different systems a physician can increase the probability of second and third order neurons to fire thus improving plasticity and balance within the central nervous system. 

In a prior post I discussed the use of visual therapies and how they integrate into the central systems.  This post will focus on auditory therapy or the use of sound in treating functional deficits.  Sound therapy uses various frequencies to evoke change in the auditory systems.  Testing includes analyzing frequencies where a patient is hyposensitive (cannot detect) or hypersensitive (overstimulating).  Hemispheristic signs must also be examined.  This is the process of testing symmetry between the right and left sides.  A prudent clinician will assess how these findings correlate to the remainder of the neurological exam. 

Once it has been determined where the level of the functional lesion is and its associated hemisphericity a clinician may utilize a variety of auditory tools to help train the brain and strengthen the deficits.  Music therapy is the most commonly used modality for auditory stimulation.  One source in particular that has shown to be effective yet very controversial is “The Mozart Effect”.  Studies show that Mozart’s compositions have a somewhat unique effect on human auditory systems.  In general, it has been shown that any music that evokes a pleasurable response can be therapeutic for the nervous system whether it’s Mozart or Metallica.  Although auditory pathways are bilateral (each seperate ear fires to both sides of the brain) I will utilize unilateral earpiece stimulation in concert with the hemisphericity of the patient. 

Another concept is to isolate the strengths of each hemisphere.  For example, the left brain is the more analytical and responsible for recognizing linearity and language.  PET scans of the brain show that verbal language is primarily a left brain endeavour.  PET scans also show that pure music stimulation without language is primarily a right brain endeavour.  Therefore, these principles can be applied to therapeutic intervention.  Another example of a good left brain stimulation is the use of a linear beat sequence such as a metronome.

This brings me to what I believe is one of the more exciting therapies in the field of auditory integration, the Interactive Metronome.  This treatment involves the use of combining exercises with a sequence of beats to promote timing and rhythm.  13 hand and foot exercises are performed while auditory guide tones direct the individual to match the metronome beat.  Statistical analysis shows improvement many areas when Interactive Metronome treatment is used.  These include attention and focus, motor coordination, language processing and reading, math skills and the ability to regulate aggression and impulsive behaviour.  Obviously, these changes would help in treating Autism related behaviours.

There still needs to be a concerted effort in clinical research and the effectiveness of auditory therapies as there is a deficit in the scientific model surrounding these procedures.  However, there have been some exciting advances in understanding the principles of application for sound based modalities.  I believe that when used in concert with the many other treatment parameters I have discussed in my posts that auditory stimulation can be an effective treatment protocol in improving neurological function and balance.