Sound Therapy Group 28 Noah Walcutt (ME) and Cindy Hlavacek (BME) Advised by Thomas Anderson, MA and Robin Midget

What is Sound Therapy? Sound/Music can have therapeutic effects Sound/Music can have therapeutic effects –Emotional well-being & Consciousness –Physical health –Communication abilities –Cognitive skills Evidence in the writings of Aristotle & Plato Evidence in the writings of Aristotle & Plato WWI & WWII WWI & WWII –Musicians visited hospitals across the country playing music for injured soldiers –Veterans said the music helped alleviate the physical and emotional trauma of war

Motivation: Potential Benefactors All ages All ages Mental health needs Mental health needs Developmental and learning disabilities Developmental and learning disabilities Alzheimer's disease and other aging related conditions Alzheimer's disease and other aging related conditions Substance abuse Substance abuse Brain injuries Brain injuries Physical disabilities Physical disabilities Acute and chronic pain Acute and chronic pain

Project Statement Construct an advanced and unique prototype to be used for sound therapy focusing on: Construct an advanced and unique prototype to be used for sound therapy focusing on: –Electronic operation –Ease of application –Patient & Therapist mobility and comfort

How Will it Work? Computer controls magnets which control the guitar strings Computer controls magnets which control the guitar strings Guitar strings create vibrations which resonate the wooden dome Guitar strings create vibrations which resonate the wooden dome Parabolic Dome acts as a sound board for the intensification of vibration inside the base enclosure Parabolic Dome acts as a sound board for the intensification of vibration inside the base enclosure Walls of the enclosure further intensify the sound Walls of the enclosure further intensify the sound Patient sitting underneath dome inside enclosure experiences the generated “music” Patient sitting underneath dome inside enclosure experiences the generated “music” Magnets Strings

Initial Design Guitar Strings (4x5=20) ~ 4.5’ Base Enclosure supports Top Dome Add walls here

The Details Electronic Electronic –120V External power source –LabView controls NI 3501 DAC –DAC controls circuit board components for all 20 guitar strings DAC  10kΩ Resistor  Bipolar Transistor  Steady State Relay (SSR)  Solenoid (inductor) (x20) –Solenoids strike guitar strings 4 Guitar Strings DAC Solenoid Boxes Circuit Board

LabView Software – “Key Down”

“Key Up”

Front Display Panel

Overall Status Still on Schedule (we think)!

Completed Work Course Requirements (up to 2/19/2008) Course Requirements (up to 2/19/2008) Construction of wooden base enclosure and dome with guitar strings/tuners Construction of wooden base enclosure and dome with guitar strings/tuners Construction of complete circuit Construction of complete circuit –On Board: 20x (10kΩ Resistors, Bipolar Transistors, SSRs, and all necessary wire connections to DAQ) –Wire connections between 5 Solenoid Boxes and Circuit Board Striker box design Striker box design

Current Work Continue researching sound therapy and existing devices Continue researching sound therapy and existing devices Improve quality of sound generated Improve quality of sound generated Troubleshooting ** Troubleshooting **

Troubleshooting Dampen noise generated by solenoid banks Dampen noise generated by solenoid banks –Rubber, felt, or insulation Kinematics of strikers Kinematics of strikers –Modify striker heads Moveable walls - advantage vs. cost Moveable walls - advantage vs. cost

Future Work Continue Sound Therapy Research Continue Sound Therapy Research Mechanical Optimization: consistent and reliable string striking Mechanical Optimization: consistent and reliable string striking Modify LabView software to program music Modify LabView software to program music Integrate/mount all electronic components (solenoid boxes and circuit board) Integrate/mount all electronic components (solenoid boxes and circuit board) Application of Sound Therapy suggested by advisor: Application of Sound Therapy suggested by advisor: –Design moveable walls? Cost Benefit Analysis Finishing work: sanding, painting, or coating Finishing work: sanding, painting, or coating Remaining course requirements: reports, presentations, etc Remaining course requirements: reports, presentations, etc

What is quality? Test and safely demonstrate the device with the assistance of Robin Midgett and Thomas Anderson, MA Test and safely demonstrate the device with the assistance of Robin Midgett and Thomas Anderson, MA Successful execution of sound therapy principles outlined by Thomas Anderson, MA Successful execution of sound therapy principles outlined by Thomas Anderson, MA –Alter/improve mental state –Monitor Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, Frontal Lobe activity (EEG) Thomas Anderson, MA Rhythimicist – Physics, Drums, Didjeridu, Beat-Box Sound Healing Science – International Consciousness Research Laboratories (ecognosis.org, ICRL.org Robin Midgett Vanderbilt Electronics Technician, Dept of Mechanical Engineering

More Recent Pictures Future Wall

Videos and Demo

References Krout, R.E., 2001 Krout, R.E., 2001 The effects of single-session music therapy interventions on the observed and self-reported levels of pain control, physical comfort, and relaxation of hospice patients. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine 18, 6: Wigram, T., Saperston, B. & West, R., 1995 Wigram, T., Saperston, B. & West, R., 1995 The Art and Science of Music Therapy: A Handbook. Chur, Switzerland: Harwood Academic Publishers, Sound Healers Association. 13 Dec Sound Healers Association. 13 Dec