On the BBC site there is a fascinating story. Cyril Merle, aged 86, suffered a massive stroke just four days after his wife’s funeral. Now aged 91, he has not only recovered but he is able to do more than he could before his stroke. He credits his love of music as being the main reason for his remarkable recovery.
He didn’t just listen to music, but music became a motivator and a framework for his action. He took up “tea dancing” (this was a very popular tradition in England years ago where couples would enjoy afternoon tea and a dance to a live band) and playing the keyboards (having not played for 30 years). Despite his wife having described him in the past as a “rotten dancer” he says he can now dance better than he can walk and he regularly plays for community sing-songs in the residential home where he lives.
I think there are a number of interesting aspects to this story. Firstly, it does remind me of Edwyn Collin’s story, which is also a remarkable story of stroke recovery involving music. Secondly, right at the beginning of this story is the fact that this man’s stroke occurred within 4 days of his wife’s funeral. A powerful example of the strong psychological, emotional and social determinants of disease. We will never understand illness or health if we think of them in strictly physical/material terms. Thirdly, all three characteristics of health are present in this story. This man suffered a significant incapacitating event, but he adapted. He coped. He survived. But he didn’t just adapt, he grew. Through creative expression of dance and playing a musical instrument he enlarged his life. He developed. In fact, he developed to a point beyond the one he’d reached before his stroke. Finally, he was engaged with life and his community. Tea dances in particular are fundamentally social affairs and he didn’t just play his keyboards for his own enjoyment, he used his new skills to entertain and encourage others in the home where he lives.
What a great story!
Heroes Not Zombies 
This is a blessing. Science can not explain all.
Dr. B
there are two things that have been well documented regarding this type of recovery. Brain injury (my specialty).
So here it is: Physical stimulation/exercise is a PROVEN factor in helping the brain recover. It helps the neurological connectors.
Musical stimulation works in the same way. It goes along with the Baby Bach theory of maths and music. The brain has to sort out the complex information it is receiving from classical music so neuro connections are established and enhanced.
The two together in combination have been seen to work for MANY patients. They are using this therapy with Alzheimer’s patients too at the moment.
I wrote a post on Touch and Sensory Therapy… its all in there.
http://seedmagazine.com/news/2006/02/the_reinvention_of_the_self.php?page=all&p=y
This link refers the old dogma of a ‘fixed’ nervous system —I think Elizabeth Goulds comments on neurogenesis in regards to culture and stress related factors . I think this is a healthy approach –linking science with the reality of cultural and social disadvantage.
Taubs work relating to methods that may induce CNS changes after stroke are briefly discussed here…..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constraint-induced_movement_therapy
Clinically what I constantly hear with those who have ongoing symptoms is I used to do this , I used to …..life seems to shrink and create a fixation. What science is optimistically suggesting is that neurogenesis is a fact and we need to tap into it …mindful creativity seems to fit the bill and exercise has a huge role to play …..
http://brainsciencpodcast.wordpress.com/2007/12/14/brain-science-podcast-26-author-norman-doidge-md-discusses-neuroplasticity/
However what we choose to do or are ‘allowed’ to do is maybe another matter?
ian
http://seedmagazine.com/news/2008/01/the_future_of_scienceis_art.php
I liked this from the above article on the integration of art and science. ‘The one reality science cannot reduce is the only reality we will ever know’