Sound Therapy Group 28 Noah Walcutt ME and

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

What is Sound Therapy? n Sound/Music can have therapeutic effects – – n n Emotional well-being & Consciousness Physical health Communication abilities Cognitive skills Evidence in the writings of Aristotle & Plato 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 n n n n All ages Mental health needs Developmental and learning disabilities Alzheimer's disease and other aging related conditions Substance abuse Brain injuries Physical disabilities Acute and chronic pain

Project Statement n 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? n Magnets n n n Strings n Computer controls magnets which control the guitar strings 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 Walls of the enclosure further intensify the sound Patient sitting underneath dome inside enclosure experiences the generated “music”

Initial Design ~ 4. 5’ Guitar Strings (4 x 5=20) Base Enclosure supports Top Dome

n Electronic – – – 4 Guitar Strings The Details Solenoid Boxes DAC Circuit Board 120 V External power source Lab. View controls NI 3501 DAC controls circuit board components for all 20 guitar strings DAC 10 kΩ Resistor Bipolar Transistor Steady State Relay (SSR) Solenoid (inductor) (x 20) – Solenoids eject magnets that strike guitar strings on dome like piano hammers

Overall Status Still on Schedule ? !

Completed Work n n n Course Requirements (up to 1/23/2008) Construction of wooden base enclosure and dome with guitar strings/tuners Construction of complete circuit – On Board: 20 x (10 kΩ Resistors, Bipolar Transistors, SSRs, and all necessary wire connections to DAQ) – Wire connections between 5 Solenoid Boxes and Circuit Board

Current Work n n Continue researching sound therapy and existing devices Test & Debug electronic construction of striker circuit board and wiring to DAC and solenoid boxes Complete electronic and mechanical design of strikers to successfully punch guitar strings Modifying wooden base to allow easier testing and manipulation

Future Work n n n Finalize electronic design & construction of strikers Continue Sound Therapy Research Mechanical Optimization: consistent and reliable string striking Write and incorporate Lab. View software Integrate/mount all electronic components Application of Sound Therapy suggested by advisor: – Design moveable walls to utilize more sound space n Finishing work: sanding, painting, or coating n Remaining course requirements: reports, presentations, etc

What is quality? n Test and safely demonstrate the device with the assistance of Robin Midgett and Thomas Anderson, MA n 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

References n 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: 383 -390. n Wigram, T. , Saperston, B. & West, R. , 1995 The Art and Science of Music Therapy: A Handbook. Chur, Switzerland: Harwood Academic Publishers, 34 -49. n Sound Healers Association. 13 Dec. 2007 <http: //www. soundhealersassociation. org/>.