Somatron Vibroacoustic Products
Finger Lakes Developmental
Disabilities Service Office
Clinical Experiences
Type
of Facility: Developmental Disability
Facility
Patient Population using the Somatron: Clients at the
facility; young - middle aged adults, moderate-severe developmentally
disabled
Date of Reported Experiences: July,
1996
Primary Findings: Increased relaxation,
communication, interaction, exploration and appropriate physical activity.
Music Used: Not
Specified
Contact Information: Donna Polen, MT-BC
Coordinator
for Music Therapy
Finger Lakes Developmental Disabilities Service Office
PO Box 550
Newark, NY 14513
Phone: (315) 331-1700
Fax: (315) 331-2458
In a letter of correspondence, Donna Polen, Coordinator and Music
Therapist at the Finger Lakes Developmental Disabilities Service Office,
discussed the various applications and uses of Somatron products at
her Music Therapy program within the facility.
Individuals
being provided with opportunities to use the Somatron(s) were described
as being young to middle aged adults with moderate to severe developmental
disabilities. The majority
of the experiences discussed incorporated the use of a Somatron Power
Recliner however, Ms. Polen mentioned that the relatively wide variety
of Somatron models that the facility was fortunate enough to have
access to, provided them with a unique opportunity to tailor their
vibrotactile therapy to individual needs.
Three main uses of the Somatron(s) were
discussed:
1) Music
Vibration as relaxation training with higher functioning clients who
may also demonstrate behavioral problems.
2) Music
Vibration as a communication tool for non-verbal or pre-verbal clients
at lower levels of functioning.
3) Music
Vibration as sensorimotor rehabilitation for clients who have severe
and / or multiple handicaps and disabilities.
Ms. Polen
reported that client responses to the Somatron varied from positive
to neutral. She suggests
that neutral responses may be more likely found in “more active music
makers” who may not wish to remain in one location during their music
therapy sessions.
Specific client progress reports
indicate the following findings:
a)
Increased relaxation
b)
Spontaneous vocalizations
c)
Spontaneous conversing / communicative attempts
d)
Increased appropriate physical activity
e)
Improvements in social interaction
f)
Independent
environment exploration
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