Reviving Spirits with Vinyl: A Unique Approach to Music Therapy in Austin Hospitals
In the heart of Austin, Texas, a unique blend of nostalgia and healing is making waves in the medical community. At the Dell Seton Medical Center, patients like 64-year-old Pamela Mansfield find solace and motivation through the vintage sounds of a record player. As Mansfield recuperates from neck surgery, she sways to the rhythm of George Jones’ “She Thinks I Still Care,” finding that music helps alleviate the stiffness in her ankles and the numbness in her hands.
The ATX-VINyL program, an initiative spearheaded by Dr. Tyler Jorgensen, brings vinyl records to the bedside of patients facing challenging diagnoses. The program, supported by volunteers, offers patients a selection of records in their preferred genres, providing a sense of home and comfort within hospital walls.
“I think of this record player as a time machine,” Dr. Jorgensen explains. “You know, something starts spinning — an old, familiar song on a record player — and now you’re back at home, you’re out of the hospital, you’re with your family, you’re with your loved ones.”
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The inspiration for ATX-VINyL came to Dr. Jorgensen during a fellowship in palliative care. Struggling to connect with a patient, he played Thin Lizzy’s “The Boys Are Back in Town,” which immediately brought about a change. “He was telling me old stories about his life. He was getting more honest and vulnerable about the health challenges he was facing,” Jorgensen recalls. This experience highlighted the universal power of music, a tool that had been largely untapped in his medical practice.
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Connecting Through Music
Patients request a variety of genres, from country legends like Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard to jazz, R&B, and holiday classics. The program’s collection has grown to over 60 records, with Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” being a favorite. Vinyl records, with their warm sound and tactile experience, offer a personal touch that digital music often lacks.
Daniela Vargas, a pre-med student at UT Austin, leads the volunteer effort, having been inspired by the power of music during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Being able to interact with the patient in the beginning and at the end can be really transformative,” Vargas notes.
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Creating New Memories
For palliative care patients, the record player offers a respite from the gravity of their situation. Dr. Jorgensen sees it as a chance to create new, positive experiences for families during difficult times. “Now you’re sort of looking at it together and thinking, ‘What are we going to do with this thing? Let’s play something for Mom, let’s play something for Dad,'” he says.
Patients like Pamela Mansfield, who are on the path to recovery, find motivation in the music. After six neck surgeries, Mansfield celebrated a small victory by standing for three minutes, inspired by the melodies of George Jones. “It’s motivating,” she says. “Me and my broom could dance really well to some of this stuff.”
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
