Healing Is Music to Our Ears
Elizabeth Stegemöller is an associate professor in kinesiology researching how music facilitates movement in people with neurological disorders. Stegemöller is a board certified music therapist with a Ph.D. in neuroscience. Her research has demonstrated that singing training can significantly improve motor and non-motor symptoms in people with Parkinson’s disease. This research has resulted in several outreach programs in Ames, IA
Each program meets for one hour once a week.
Singing in Parkinson’s Disease
A singing group for people with Parkinson’s Disease meets on Wednesdays from 2-3pm at the First Baptist Church of Ames, 200 Lynn Ave.
Music and Movement in Parkinson’s Disease
An exercise group for people with Parkinson’s Disease meets on Thursdays from 2-3pm at the First Baptist Church of Ames, 200 Lynn Ave.
The singing program started during Stegemöller’s original research, and continued after participants started to statistically see improvements. The program brings together the original study participants and several other people with Parkinson’s to sing, “You Are My Sunshine” which helps them talk louder and hold out their breath.
The dance program uses musical cues to help people with Parkinson’s who have difficulty with things such as rigidity, range of motion, big forceful movements, balance, and posture. The first part focuses on strength exercises while the second focuses ballroom dance.
In addition, an exercise group focused on boxing was implemented at the request of the participants with Parkinson’s disease. This group focuses on making big, fast, and forceful movements while challenging posture.
Boxing in Parkinson’s Disease
An exercise group for people with Parkinson’s Disease meets on Tuesdays from 2-3 pm at the First Baptist Church of Ames, 200 Lynn Ave.
For more information about these programs, check out the lab website, www. ammpdlab.com.
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Elizabeth Stegemöller
111K Forker Building
534 Wallace Rd
Ames, IA, 50011-4008