Development and Evolution of a Model Interprofessional Education Program in Parkinson’s disease: A Ten-year Experience

OBJECTIVE This paper describes development, evolution and learner reactions in a model interprofessional education program for medical, nursing, physician assistant, occupational therapy, physical therapy, music therapy, social work and speech-language pathology practitioners. Sponsored by the National Parkinson Foundation (NPF) (currently Parkinson’s Foundation), Allied Team Training for Parkinson (ATTP) is a U.S.-based multi-day interprofessional education program in best practices for integrated, interprofessional team-based Parkinson’s disease (PD) care. NPF sponsored 26 ATTP trainings from 2003 to 2013. METHODS This mixed methods evaluation uses case study document review and observation to outline ATTP curriculum development, evolution, and implementation challenges. Learner-perceived effectiveness ratings, knowledge change, pre-post ratings on the Team Skills Scale, confidence in working with people with PD and caregivers, and trainee-reported practice changes at 6-month follow-up were collected. RESULTS Qualitative results identified multiple factors in building an effective interprofessional education program, including interprofessional team practice opportunities through case-based learning, engaging care networks and continuous feedback loops for program improvement. Quantitative results showed that trainees across professions, geographic regions and work settings rated the overall program and curriculum effectiveness, amount of new knowledge and knowledge change very highly. ATTP resulted in significant post-training improvement in team skills, confidence in working with PD, and post-training self-reported practice changes. CONCLUSION Findings suggest that ATTP is an effective interprofessional education program that could be replicated or adapted to other settings and neurodegenerative or chronic illnesses. The model of combining interprofessional team training with disease-specific curriculum content appears to be an effective “next practice” in continuing professional development

Meeting the Complex Needs of Individuals With Dementia Through Music Therapy

Since its founding in 1995, the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function (IMNF) has been committed to the study of music therapy for people with neurologic impairments, especially for those with Alzheimer disease and other dementias. Our more than 30 years of research has reaped some unique findings. This article will describe the research projects and their implications in a narrative review with the focus on method, music intervention, and outcomes. It is hoped that the work of researchers and clinical practice communities will benefit from the synthesis of our findings and that the investigations and practices for our aging population will continue to expand. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved

Auditory Cueing of Pre-Learned Skills and Role of Subcortical Information Processing to Maximize Rehabilitative Outcomes Bridging Science and Music-Based Interventions

Auditory entrainment of motor function is a fundamental tool in neurologic music therapy with many studies demonstrating improved clinical outcomes in people with movement disorders such as Parkinson’s Disease, acquired brain injuries, and stroke. However, the specific mechanisms of action within neural networks and cortical regions that are aroused and influenced by auditory entrainment still need to be identified. This paper draws from some contemporary neuroscience studies that indicate the role of the cerebellum and other subcortical systems in modulating pre-learned motor schema and proposes a possible rationale for the success of auditory entrainment within neurologic music therapy

Music Therapy & Music Based Interventions in Dementia: Recommendations for Clinical Guidelines Part II

The therapeutic benefits of music are well-recognized in care of the elderly and especially in its application for people with dementia (PWD). Currently, music-based programs occur at varying levels and are offered by a variety of professionals. The challenge is to ensure that music is provided in a beneficial way. There is a growing need for clinical practice guidelines that are based on research outcomes, in order to guarantee reliable music therapy and music-based intervention procedures for people with dementia (PWD). This will ensure that these interventions are properly implemented by professional music therapists, or other health allied professionals, as well as caregivers, in the cases of music-based interventions. This paper reflects on this need and highlights recommendations leading toward greater definition of best practices in the use of music with PWD. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved