08 · Research
The Brain Symphony for Post-Stroke Rehabilitation
Beh Wen Fen, Lydia Abdul Latif, Nasir Bin Hashim & Chung Tze Yang
Beh, W. F., Abdul Latif, L., Bin Hashim, N., & Chung, T. Y. (2018). The brain symphony for post-stroke rehabilitation: A pilot randomized controlled study [Abstract]. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, 32(4–5), 336–337.
Music triggers a large network of neurons that includes motor actions, perceptions, and emotions whereby each part works to process the different aspects of the tune. This pilot study suggests that listening to P. Ramlee’s music may support neuroplasticity and help rehabilitation after stroke.
Music therapy has come a long way in assisting the medical world to improve the condition and quality of life of stroke patients. Research has shown that this is especially effective in supporting stroke patients who suffered from physical to mental disabilities. However, the music played was pre-set and pre-packaged. Thus, this research aims to explore and compose the best music for effective rehabilitation through studying the effects of music therapy during rehabilitation on post-stroke patients using songs by P. Ramlee.
This investigation is divided into three phases:
- exploring the different compositions of music that help enhance the neuroplasticity of the brain,
- finding the effect of the music used in phase one on stroke patients during their rehabilitation through augmenting patients’ brain neuroplasticity by measuring the motor evoked potential (MEP) using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and
- comparing the effects of brain neuroplasticity between lesion and non-lesion areas in the patients.
Music triggers a large network of neurons that includes motor actions, perceptions, and emotions.
Methods
A cross-over design with music therapy is used on a small sample of 30 participants made up of stroke patients and healthy individuals, whose brain neuroplasticity was compared and analysed.
Results
The results suggest that the music therapy produces positive changes in neuroplasticity leading to the improvement of the subjects’ motor performance.
Conclusion
It is possible that using P. Ramlee’s songs can accelerate the rehabilitation for post-stroke patients, suggesting that music listening may be a useful adjuvant therapy; larger trials are needed.