The Effect of Music and Audiobook Listening on People Recovering from Stroke: The Patient's Point of View

Journal

Music and Medicine

Year

2010

Abstract

Recent experimental evidence suggests that musical activities can enhance motoric, cognitive, and emotional recovery after a stroke. The authors' aim was to gain more insight about the emotional and psychological factors underlying the therapeutic effects of listening to music after a stroke, by combining both qualitative and quantitative methods. Thirty-nine patients who had suffered a stroke were interviewed about their subjective experiences when listening, on a daily basis, to either self-selected music (n = 20) or audiobooks (n = 19) during the first 2 months after the stroke. Results showed that music listening was specifically associated with better relaxation, increased motor activity, and improved mood, whereas both music and audiobook listening provided refreshing stimulation and evoked thoughts and memories about the past. These results highlight the clinical importance of providing stimulating and pleasant leisure activities after a stroke and further encourage the use of music in stroke rehabilitation. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

Music and Health Institute Terms

Emotional Functioning; Mobility; Mood; Music Listening; Receptive Music Methods; Relaxation; Stroke; Subjective Measures

Indexed Terms

Recovery; Stroke

Study Type

Mixed Methods

Document Type

Article

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