Music-based movement therapy, referred to as the Ronnie Gardiner Method, may play a significant role in rehabilitation after a stroke and in addressing various brain disorders.
Music-based movement therapy, known as the Ronnie Gardiner Method, has the potential to contribute to rehabilitation after a stroke and in other brain disorders. These findings stem from a scoping review conducted at the University of Gothenburg.
The Ronnie Gardiner Method was created by Ronald “Ronnie” Gardiner, a beloved Swedish-American jazz drummer born in 1932. While this technique is applied in rehabilitation settings in Sweden and around the world, there has been a scarcity of thorough scientific reviews assessing its effectiveness and how both instructors and participants perceive the method.
The recent study, published in the journal Disability and Rehabilitation, consolidates the various applications of the Ronnie Gardiner Method in healthcare and investigates its potential advantages.
“There’s no doubt that the method brings joy to participants facing challenging life circumstances requiring long-term rehabilitation,” explains Petra Pohl, a physiotherapist and assistant professor at Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, who led the study.
A Complement to Standard Rehabilitation
Pohl has been researching the method for over 15 years, previously evaluating its impact on individuals with Parkinson’s disease and stroke. Previous research highlighted the method’s appeal due to its playful nature, uplifting music, and the social environment it fosters.
“This approach is enjoyable and engaging, offering a unique experience that simultaneously challenges cognitive and motor skills,” Pohl states.
The method utilizes rhythm and movement activities, including hand clapping and foot stomping, based on a two-color note system. Here, the left side of the body responds to red notes, while the right side responds to blue notes, all while participants produce rhythmic sounds with their mouths. This approach simultaneously assesses various abilities: motor skills, rhythm, dual-task processing, coordination, memory, endurance, and more.
The current review study aims to summarize the findings from previous quantitative and qualitative research in this area, indicating that the Ronnie Gardiner Method may serve as a beneficial addition to conventional neurological rehabilitation practices.
An Expanding Method
The potential benefits of this method in stroke rehabilitation are the most well-documented, but results for other conditions remain less clear. Among the 23 studies evaluated in the review, most were not peer-reviewed, which affects their overall credibility.
The qualitative studies included suggest that participants find the Ronnie Gardiner Method to be challenging, motivating, and enjoyable, with many reporting enhancements in their recovery and overall quality of life.
“The method has gained international attention, and there are indications that it will be increasingly utilized in rehabilitation settings in the future. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct further research, particularly controlled trials, to validate its effectiveness,” concludes Petra Pohl.
