Music Therapy Used in Rehabilitation of Stroke Patients

Music has been shown to be a fantastic rehabilitator in the early stages of stroke recovery. A Finnish study in Brain shows that stroke patients who listened to a few hours of music a day in combination with normal stroke treatment experienced better recovery in verbal memory and focused attention than did stroke patients who listened to audio books or nothing with normal stroke treatment. The music listeners also had better moods.

After six months of therapy, the music listeners’ verbal memory improved by 60% and focused attention improved by 17%, much higher than the results noted in audio book listeners or patients with nothing. Furthermore, the music listeners were happier and less confused than members of the other groups. The research was carried out on adults who had suffered an ischaemic middle cerebral artery stroke with no prior history of neurological disorder.

While listening to music, the brain boosts alertness, mood and attention due to stimulation of the dopaminergic mesocorticolimbic system, which moderates feelings of pleasure and memory, among other emotions.

Stimulation of this system helps to recover other parts of the brain by a neurological cross over effect. Doctors believe that the combination of music and lyrics leads to this cross over effect, which helps to recover losses in other parts of the brain.

Many therapists already use music as a tool. Singing can improve communication greatly in stroke patients, by setting words to music and singing them, before moving them back to speech. Rhythm and clapping, also used by therapists, aid in the recovery of movement and muscle control.

• Singing can improve communication greatly in patients, by setting words to music and singing them, before moving them back to speech.
  
• Using rhythm and basic drums like the djembe or frame drums, also used by therapists, aid in the recovery of movement and muscle control.
• Choosing music that is familiar to the patient improves memory development and verbal skills. Funnily enough, the study in Brain showed that Kenny Rogers provoked the best response in patients.
  
• Music that triggers thought will assist in the recovery of speech and memory.