Music Listening Enhances Cognitive Recovery and Mood After Middle Cerebral Artery Stroke

Journal

Brain

Year

2008

Volume

131

Issue

Pt 3

First Page

866

Last Page

76

Abstract

We know from animal studies that a stimulating and enriched environment can enhance recovery after stroke, but little is known about the effects of an enriched sound environment on recovery from neural damage in humans. In humans, music listening activates a wide-spread bilateral network of brain regions related to attention, semantic processing, memory, motor functions, and emotional processing. Music exposure also enhances emotional and cognitive functioning in healthy subjects and in various clinical patient groups. The potential role of music in neurological rehabilitation, however, has not been systematically investigated. This single-blind, randomized, and controlled trial was designed to determine whether everyday music listening can facilitate the recovery of cognitive functions and mood after stroke. In the acute recovery phase, 60 patients with a left or right hemisphere middle cerebral artery (MCA) stroke were randomly assigned to a music group, a language group, or a control group. During the following two months, the music and language groups listened daily to self-selected music or audio books, respectively, while the control group received no listening material. In addition, all patients received standard medical care and rehabilitation. All patients underwent an extensive neuropsychological assessment, which included a wide range of cognitive tests as well as mood and quality of life questionnaires, one week (baseline), 3 months, and 6 months after the stroke. Fifty-four patients completed the study. Results showed that recovery in the domains of verbal memory and focused attention improved significantly more in the music group than in the language and control groups. The music group also experienced less depressed and confused mood than the control group. These findings demonstrate for the first time that music listening during the early post-stroke stage can enhance cognitive recovery and prevent negative mood. The neural mechanisms potentially underlying these effects are discussed.

Music and Health Institute Terms

Cognitive Abilities; Depression; Memory; Mental Health; Mood; Mood Scales; Music Listening; Music Medicine; Quality of Life; Questionnaires; Recorded Music Listening; Self-Report Measures; Stroke; Symptom Management; Wellness and Well-Being

Indexed Terms

Acoustic Stimulation; Affect; Elderly; Attention; Cognition Disorders; Health Status Indicators; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery; Language Therapy; Memory; Neuropsychological Tests; Quality of Life; Single-Blind Method

Study Type

Quantitative Methods; Randomized Controlled Trial

Disciplines

Neurology

PubMed ID

18287122

Document Type

Article

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