{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"133 Harmonica Can Improve PD Speech","description":"I love bringing you innovative ideas that are improving the lives of people with Parkinson\u2019s\u2014and this one truly surprised me. I never thought learning to play the harmonica would make the list, but here we are. In this episode, I share the story of an inspirational physical therapist in Hawaii who received a grant to study how learning the harmonica can impact speech in people with Parkinson\u2019s disease. Even though it was a small study, the results were encouraging, and he\u2019s now expanding his work to bring this creative therapy to more people. It turns out the harmonica isn\u2019t just about making music\u2014it\u2019s a powerful tool for strengthening breathing, mouth muscles, and coordination, all of which are essential for clear speech. Similar to established speech therapies, this approach helps build vocal strength and breath control, but with a fun and engaging twist that keeps people motivated. To make it accessible, he\u2019s even creating a program-in-a-box that includes everything you need: a harmonica, a lesson book, and access to a companion website and YouTube tutorials.You have to listen to this episode\u2014even if you\u2019re not musically inclined. This is about so much more than music; it\u2019s about discovering creative, effective ways to improve quality of life. https:\/\/harmonicaparkinsonsproject.com\/&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;(Lauching soon) kevin.lockette@bsci.com (email address for our guest) https:\/\/store.bookbaby.com\/Book\/the-harmonica-parkinsons-project&amp;nbsp; (purchase book)  Thank you to our sponsor \u2013 Boston Scientific, the maker of Vercise Genus, a Deep Brain Stimulation or DBS system. To learn more about the latest treatment options for Parkinson\u2019s disease at https:\/\/DBSandMe.com\/17branches&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; ","author_name":"The Parkinson's Experience podcast","author_url":"http:\/\/parkinsonsexperience.libsyn.com\/website","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/40697110\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/ff6a00\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/item\/40697110"}