Music Supported Therapy Promotes Motor Plasticity in Individuals With Chronic Stroke

Journal

Brain Imaging and Behavior

Year

2016

Abstract

Novel rehabilitation interventions have improved motor recovery by induction of neural plasticity in individuals with stroke. Of these, Music-supported therapy (MST) is based on music training designed to restore motor deficits. Music training requires multimodal processing, involving the integration and co-operation of visual, motor, auditory, affective and cognitive systems. The main objective of this study was to assess, in a group of 20 individuals suffering from chronic stroke, the motor, cognitive, emotional and neuroplastic effects of MST. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) we observed a clear restitution of both activity and connectivity among auditory-motor regions of the affected hemisphere. Importantly, no differences were observed in this functional network in a healthy control group, ruling out possible confounds such as repeated imaging testing. Moreover, this increase in activity and connectivity between auditory and motor regions was accompanied by a functional improvement of the paretic hand. The present results confirm MST as a viable intervention to improve motor function in chronic stroke individuals.

Music and Health Institute Terms

Cognitive Abilities; Emotional Functioning; Functional Status; Mobility; Music and Cognition; Music Neuroscience; Music Medicine; Rehabilitation Exercises; Stroke

Indexed Terms

Stroke Rehabilitation; Elderly; Auditory Perception; Brain Mapping; Brain; Chronic Disease; Chronic stroke; fMRI; Functional connectivity; Hand; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Motor Activity; Music-supported therapy; Neural Pathways; Neuronal Plasticity; Neuropsychological Tests; Paresis; Plasticity; Recovery of Function; Stroke

Study Type

Quasi-Experimental Study; Quantitative Methods

Document Type

Article

More Info

Share

COinS