The vinyl sessions 

By Yangyuna Yang, MBBS, PhD, University of Nebraska Medical Center & M. Carolina Musri, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

While observing in the speech-language pathology (SLP) department, I had an experience that left a lasting impression on me. One of the patients was a 70-year-old man recovering from glioblastoma (GBM) surgery. The surgery had left him with aphasia, and he struggled with reading, spelling, and expressing himself. Despite these challenges, he showed determination and a passion for music that became a central part of his therapy. 

The session was led by T, the speech therapist skilled at designing treatment sessions tailored to patient needs and interests. She started with simple warm-up exercises, asking them to construct sentences by filling in missing words. When he hesitated, T gently encouraged him to keep going. Then she used a metronome to help maintain rhythm while speaking. The steady beat made the task easier, allowing him to organize his sentences and communicate more confidently. 

What stood out was how T used the patient’s favorite vinyl records during the session. These weren’t just any records—they were part of his personal collection that he kept at the rehabilitation center. He loved music, and T knew how to tap into that passion. She handed him a record and asked him to read the label. Slowly, he traced the words with his finger, saying, “Pearl . . . Jam . . .  “Given . . . to . . . Fly.” 

“Perfect!” T said while searching for the song. Moments later, the room filled with the opening chords of “Given to Fly.” 

The change in him was immediate. He started tapping his foot, and a smile spread across his face. When the chorus came, he softly sang along, stumbling over a few words but enjoying the moment. “This . . . my favorite,” he said, his voice quiet but full of emotion. “Used to play it . . . in the car . . . with my son. Loud.” 

T let the music guide the session and occasionally paused to ask simple questions or encourage him to read words on the records. Each time he successfully read a name or title she played the corresponding song. The room felt less like a therapy space and more like a celebration of his memories and progress. 

By the end of the session, he carefully placed the vinyl back on the table. “Next time, new records?” he said with a smile.  

“Absolutely,” T replied. “And maybe another Pearl Jam track?” 

This session was eye-opening for me. Before, I’d imagined that I’d observe clinical and standardized exercises. Watching T combine therapy with a patient’s love for music in such a meaningful way completely changed my understanding of speech-language therapy. 

Here’s what I learned:  

1. Personalize therapy to enhance engagement. 

To transform the treatment experience, we can customize it to align with a patient’s unique interests. In this case, the patient’s vinyl records became a source of motivation and fostered a deeper connection with the therapist. 

2. Show empathy through meaningful connections. 

To foster trust and make patients feel genuinely valued, acknowledge and integrate what matters most to a patient, such as cherished memories tied to music. This approach underscores the importance of seeing the individual beyond their medical condition and tailoring care to their journey. 

3. Be creative.

Integrating creative methods, like using a metronome to help a patient maintain a rhythm, demonstrates that clinical skills aren’t solely about standardized exercise. Creativity can make therapy more effective and memorable for patients. 

This piece expresses the views solely of the author. It does not represent the views of any organization, including Johns Hopkins Medicine.