How STROKESTRA harnesses music’s healing power for stroke survivors in Central Florida

Inspiring Wholeness

Explore the healing power of music for stroke survivors and their families in this episode of the Inspiring Wholeness podcast, presented by AdventHealth in partnership with the Orlando Business Journal.

Rich Moats, music therapist with AdventHealth, joins Rachel Moalli and Alana Jackson, two leaders with the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, to discuss a groundbreaking community project that unites professional musicians, certified music therapists, stroke survivors and their caregivers to make music and improvise together. It’s called STROKESTRA®. To bring the international rehabilitation program to Central Florida, these two organizations joined forces with the world-renowned Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, who pioneered the program in the UK.

“We may use musical exercises to work on cognitive functioning — like executive functioning, attention reasoning, memory — or we might use singing to be a bridge to the injured part of the brain that's responsible for communication,” Moats said. “What I love about this is it's not music therapy, but it's not a performance either. It's landing somewhere in the middle, but it's so much more than all of these separate parts.”

Tune in to this episode to learn more about:

• How the partnership between the Dr. Phillips Center and AdventHealth began — when they built a performing arts center together (0:54)
• The effect music has on the brain after experiencing a stroke (4:30)
• What STROKESTRA is like and the impact it’s making on everyone involved (5:41)
• How the arts can benefit whole-body health (13:38)
• The possibility that the arts could be prescribed or recommended in a medical context (15:27)
• What inspired the Dr. Phillips Center to delve into the world of health care (16:48)

“When we think about health, it's something that happens in every aspect of our lives — where we live, where we work, where we play — and it's really important the arts and culture are involved and considered as part of an integral part of the fabric of what it means to promote health and well-being,” Jackson said.

AdventHealth has provided whole-person care for 115 years. Today, our services, including cancer, cardiac, neurosurgery, orthopedics and a dedicated women’s and children’s hospital are rated among the nation’s best. Learn more at feelhealthyfeelwhole.com.

Disclaimer

AdventHealth and the Orlando Business Journal are providing this podcast as a public benefit. This podcast is not intended to b

AdventHealth has provided whole-person care for 115 years. Today, our services, including cancer, cardiac, neurosurgery, orthopedics and a dedicated women’s and children’s hospital are rated among the nation’s best. Learn more at feelhealthyfeelwhole.com.
Disclaimer
AdventHealth and the Orlando Business Journal are providing this podcast as a public benefit. This podcast is not intended to be a substitute for any professional advice or medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of AdventHealth or the Orlando Business Journal policy. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by AdventHealth or the Orlando Business Journal. The views expressed by our guests are their own. Their participation in the podcast does not imply an endorsement by them or any entity they represent. AdventHealth and the Orlando Business Journal hereby disclaim any and all liability to any party for any direct, indirect, implied, punitive, special, incidental or other consequence of damages, arising directly or indirectly from any use of the content in this podcast, which is provided, as is, and without warranties.