our programmes: Music.ALS - Music-based support for people affected by ALS / MND

Music not only nurtures us emotionally: in the recent decades we keep unveiling its potential for neurorehabilitation. Singing, playing music instruments, movement to preprogrammed music and other music-based activities are successfully used to help people with stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, dementias and “the Stephen Hawking disease” – amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or motor neurone disease (ALS / MND).

Music.ALS is a music program for persons with ALS / MND, their families, caregivers and medical care teams around the world. Its music activities are based on years of clinical practice and thorough, peer-reviewed research. Learn more and download free exercises at Music.ALS webpage.




Dr Alisa Apreleva: 

"Since 2012, I have been developing ways to help persons living with ALS / MND sustain their vitality by means of live and recorded music exercises. When planning treatment, every client’s disease type and progression have to be carefully considered, as well as their culture, social situation and unique music preferences”





Here are some of Music.ALS offers:

  • 1:1 and family Zoom music visits for emotional support at all stages;
  • Individually tailored protocols to improve movement, speech, breathing, swallowing at early and mid-stage (hybrid in person / online, Oxford and London, UK, only for in-person sessions);
  • Immersive experiential workshops for persons with ALS / MND and their caregivers who wish to learn about therapeutic of music in ALS / MND, all stages;
  • Hands-on education sessions for professionals and volunteers who wish to support persons with ALS and their families through music and expressive arts;
  • Creating curated music playlists for sleep, relaxation, emotional support and daily routines, all stages; 
  • Songwriting experiences and life story creation.

Music.ALS is a part of Sing4Change programme. 


Sing4Change is dreamed and led by singer, composer, music scientist and humanitarian advocate Alisa Apreleva, PhD, MT-BC. Currently based at the University of Oxford (UK), she started running Sing4Change community workshops in 2017 in Boston, USA. Prior to that Alisa taught clinical music therapy skills to Berklee College of Music students and ran a pro bono humanitarian music and health advocacy in the post-Soviet territories. Contact Alisa at sing4change@duck.com for workshops, consulting, interactive performances and speaking engagements.

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