The Value of Exercise Rehabilitation Program Accompanied by Experiential Music for Recovery of Cognitive and Motor Skills in Stroke Patients

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to systematically assess the effects of exercise rehabilitation program accompanied by experiential music for clinical recovery.

Methods: This was a prospective randomized study with 65 stroke survivor patients. All cases underwent a neuropsychological assessment first as a prescreening test, during the admission at the Rehabilitation center (baseline), and 6 months poststroke. All patients received standard treatment for stroke in terms of medical care and rehabilitation. Additionally, all patients were separated into 2 Groups: a music Group (daily listening to experiential/traditional music), and a control Group (CG) with no experiential/traditional music therapy (standard care only). Computed tomography perfusion and full neurological examination including GCS were assessment. As Recovery was defined the improvement of cognitive and motor skills of the limb in the affected site, with an increase of muscle strength at least by 1/5 and with emotional progress.

Results: Statistically significant differences were found between the Group CG and the rest of the patients in respect of Lesion size (P = .001) and CBF in affected area (P = .001). Μultivariate analysis revealed that only Group and Lesion size were independent predictors for Recovery (odd ratio [OR][95%confidence interval]) .11(.001-.133) and .798(.668-.954) respectively.

Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that the music-based exercise program has a positive effect on mood profile in stroke patients and Recovery rate is higher when exercise rehabilitation program was accompanied by an enriched sound environment with experiential music.

Keywords: Experiential music; alternatives stroke therapies; traditional music.