From the Guidelines
Music therapy is a reasonable treatment option for improving verbal memory in stroke patients, as stated in the 2016 guidelines for adult stroke rehabilitation and recovery from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association 1. When stroke patients engage with music through listening, playing instruments, singing, or rhythmic movement, it activates both damaged and healthy brain regions, promoting neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to form new neural connections. This therapy improves physical rehabilitation by using rhythm to help patients regain movement and gait patterns, particularly through techniques like Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation where consistent beats guide walking movements. Music therapy also addresses speech and language recovery through singing, which engages different neural pathways than speaking, allowing patients with aphasia to communicate through melody when words are difficult. Additionally, it provides psychological support by reducing anxiety and depression common after stroke, improving mood through familiar music, and offering a non-verbal outlet for emotional expression. Some key points to consider when implementing music therapy for stroke patients include:
- Starting sessions early in recovery
- Tailoring the therapy to the patient's specific deficits, musical preferences, and rehabilitation goals
- Using a combination of active and receptive music treatments, such as instrument playing, singing, and listening to music
- Considering the use of music therapy in conjunction with other rehabilitation interventions, such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy. A recent review of music-based treatments found evidence for reductions in depression and overall behavioral problems, but no effect on agitation, and low-quality evidence for reductions in anxiety and quality of life 1. However, the 2016 guidelines for adult stroke rehabilitation and recovery provide the most direct and relevant evidence for the use of music therapy in stroke patients, and therefore, music therapy may be reasonable for improving verbal memory 1.
From the Research
Benefits of Music Therapy for Stroke Patients
- Music therapy addresses a broad spectrum of motor, speech, and cognitive deficits, as well as behavioral and emotional issues in stroke patients 2
- Music-based interventions, including music therapy, can be beneficial for the improvement of different aspects of executive functions and emotional well-being in adults with stroke 3
- Music-supported therapy has been shown to improve motor, cognitive, and psychosocial functions in chronic stroke patients, with benefits including enhanced quality of life and improved well-being 4
Effects of Music Therapy on Depression and Cognitive Disorders
- Music-supported therapy has been found to effectively improve depression and cognitive function in people living with stroke, with benefits occurring as early as 2 weeks of treatment 5
- Music therapy can also improve daily living abilities, limb motor function, and neurological function in stroke patients, with potential benefits for overall quality of life 5
Potential Benefits of Music Therapy on Stroke Rehabilitation
- Music therapy can help attenuate dysphagia and aphasia, improve cognition and motor function, alleviate negative moods, and accelerate neurological recovery in stroke patients 6
- Early rehabilitation poststroke, including music therapy, is important for improving the quality of life of stroke patients, and can help address various complications associated with stroke 6