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Music Therapy

(NBC/WRCB) - The technique has been getting attention across the country recently, but its roots are at Colorado State University.

Sally Withers has had one wish for nine years: more movement.

"I had my stroke. I lost everything on my left side," she said.

Withers took that wish to this therapy class at CSU, but this class isn't like others. It's all music, all the time.

"It gets into your brain," said Withers.

Dr. Michael Thaut says that's exactly what it does.

"We started researching that about 20 years ago," he said.

Test after test showed Thaut that when it comes to movement, music provides more than just motivation.

"The idea is we use music as a big clock function from the outside that gives a steady pulse and steady pattern that synchronizes the movement, and the patient can calibrate their movement to that big sensory timer," said Thaut.

Rhythmic auditory stimulation is what it's called. Therapists across the country have found success with it.

As for Withers, she's happy to move to the beat of a different: therapy.

"When I'm walking by myself now, I usually have a tune going in my head," she said.