June 5, 2000

"Then sings my soul …my savior God to thee …how great thou art … how great thou art."

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Some patients can only mouth the words — breathing machines or other ailments make sure of that. But they can hear Sunny Hadder's tinkling soprano clear as a bell, and doctors are learning it's more than music to their ears.

It's music therapy, and it is being used at UAB Hospital to bring about behavioral changes and improvement in mental and physical health.

"It's much more than merely singing to a patient, and it does a lot more than entertain," Hadder says, the University of Alabama at Birmingham's first board-certified music therapist.

Among other things, research indicates music therapy elicits verbalization, increases relaxation and comfort levels, reduces blood pressure, reduces pain perception, reduces levels of fear, stress and anxiety and increases self-worth and a sense of control while in the hospital.

Twice a week, Hadder loads up a cart full of musical instruments, games and activities and heads off to visit patients. After Hadder makes an initial assessment of the patient and confers with the patient's doctor and nurses, she compiles a list of objectives and corresponding music therapy techniques that will aid in reaching the goals that have been set.

"Most of the time, I like to have the patient tell me what kind of music they like, if they can," Hadder said. "That way they can feel like they have a little bit of control among all the poking and prodding, especially the children. Although being in the hospital isn't a normal part of being a kid, music is. And music can be such a valuable tool for making them feel normal again in such a scary environment."

Hadder began working with pediatric cardiology patients, but as the word spread she began receiving referrals from all over the hospital. Anyone, including the patient and his/her family, can request music therapy.

The systematic music activities can include anything from listening, singing, strumming an instrument, playing a song using color coordinated notes and piano keys, composition, creative writing and games. The activities are used to improve lung capacity and vocal chord rehabilitation, facilitate communication, emotional expression and energy, cognitive and motor skills and to provide hope and promote healing.

For information on the music therapy program, contact Jane Love, (205) 934-7081.