Effects of a Music-based Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation on Gait and Balance in Subacute Stroke

Journal

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Year

2021

Abstract

Gait and balance impairments are common after stroke. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a music-based rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) in combination with conventional physiotherapy on gait parameters and walking ability in subacute stroke. This single-blind, historical controlled trial, included 55 patients who had suffered a stroke within the three weeks prior to enrolment. Patients from 2018 (n = 27) were assigned as the historical control group whereas 2019 patients (n = 28) received music-based RAS three times a week. Both groups received 11 h of conventional physiotherapy per week during hospitalization. Primary outcomes were gait and balance parameters (Tinetti test and Timed Up&Go test) and walking ability (Functional Ambulation Category scale). Secondary outcomes were trunk control, assistive devices, functional independence (Functional Independence Measure, Barthel index), and stroke severity and disability (modified Rankin scale, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale). Results: No between-group differences were identified for gait and balance parameters nor for secondary outcomes. Significant between-group differences were observed in the Functional Ambulation Category: the intervention group (Δmean ± SD; 3.43 ± 1.17) showed greater improvement (p = 0.002) than the control group (Δmean ± SD; 2.48 ± 1.09). Compared with conventional physiotherapy alone, our results suggest that the walking ability of subacute stroke patients might be improved with music-based RAS combined with conventional physiotherapy, but this treatment is not more effective than conventional physiotherapy in obtaining gait and balance gains.

Music and Health Institute Terms

Functional Status; Gait; Hospital Setting; Mobility; Music in Combination with Other Techniques; Music Therapy; Physical Therapy; Receptive Music Methods; Recreative Music Methods; Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation; Stroke

Indexed Terms

Stroke Rehabilitation; Stroke; Acoustic Stimulation; Gait; musical therapy; physical therapy; Postural Balance; rehabilitation; rhythmical auditory stimulation; Single-Blind Method; stroke; Walking

Study Type

Randomized Controlled; Trial; Quantitative Methods

Document Type

Article

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