Can music therapy help patients recovering from a stroke? A hospital in Cambridge is taking part in the first year-long hospital trial to find out.
Dr Alexander Street of the Music for Health Research Centre at Anglia Ruskin University is leading the trial at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, which aims to assess whether music improves the cognitive function, communication, motor function and mood of patients.
The trial follows a successful pilot led by Dr Street which delivered music therapy to 10 stroke patients in their homes over a six-week period.
The patients, who suffered from reduced arm function following a stroke, were encouraged to play musical instruments.
'We believe that music interventions are likely to be beneficial for improving arm function following a stroke, with the strong rhythmic stimulus embedded in music helping to enhance motor performance,' Dr Street said.
'Our pilot study found that patients did engage [with playing musical instruments] and were very positive about the process.'
He explained that the repetitive nature of playing an instrument helped participants to, 'associate the movements with the precision and dexterity needed in normal day-to-day activities, such as dressing, washing and using cutlery, which possibly enhanced their focus.'
'Our pilot study showed that this music therapy was interactive and enjoyable, and patients clearly linked the movements to those required for independent living.
'We hope our current trial, which involves stroke patients in an earlier stage of recovery and addresses attention and memory, speech, movement, and mood, is similarly successful,' he added.
The trial is now under way at Addenbrooke’s Hospital.
