Special music organ (harmonium) for the training of the disabled hand is presented by the authors. There are ten rings corresponding to the fingers of both hands, enabling either special exercise of each finger separately or training of music play for all the fingers at the same time. Ten rings, are divided into two groups, each composed of five rings for each hand, where are arranged in radiating direction according to the anatomical structure, instead of ordinal plain row. Rings are tuned to SI, DO, RE, MI, FA, SO, LA, SI, DO, RE in C major scale. The blower is operated on by electricity.
Basic Training-1: Scale-Pulling the rings as fast as possible in the order from Thumb too little finger; time is recorded in each turn, and average time is calculated when it is repeated ten times. At first it is difficult to play in a regular succession, but in accordance with the progress of the training, patient's finger motion becomes more and more intensive and rhythmical.
Basic Training-2: Trill-Playing the two neighbouring fingers alternatively, the maximum speed is noted by the metronome. This exercise is most purposeful for the training of accurate rhythm in the finger motion.
Applied Training: -After the basic training, all the notes in the order of the scale are played, pulling all the rings, in a rhythmical succession, both hands alternatively. Then, the patient is encouraged to play freely any melody which he knows. The training exercises, basic and applied, should be continued 30 to 40 minutes in a day. Preferably the exercises should be practised every day, but successful results can be obtained even with less frequently, e. g. once or twice a week.
Eighty one cases suffering from cerebral palsy (43), tendon repair after flexor tendon rupture (9), stiffened IP-joint (6), CVA disorder (5), obstetric paralysis (3), congenital syndactylism (3), etc., were undertaken in this training.
This organ evokes a great deal of interest and pleasure for the patient in performing the training. A favorable emotional effect is evidently observed even among to cerebral palsied and brain damaged patients.
Improvement in finger motion is clearly demonstrated in the records of the basic training, scale and trill, which reveal improvements either in the speed and accuracy of the performance, or in the control of each finger as manifested in the independent movements. Besides, remarkable increase in the range of motion in IP-joint, in the strength of pinching and grasping force, in the smoothness of movement is indisputably evidenced. At the same time, decrease in involuntary movement in athetotic patient is not infrequently observed. In accordance daily life is more and more easily performed, such as eating, or dressing, etc.
Another very important achievement through this music therapy lies in the advanced coordination in all kinds of muscular activities, a due result which is effectively brought forth by subconscious training of facilitating muscle exertion with musical interest, the authors maintain.
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