Relationship between output from MIDI-keyboard playing and hand function assessments on affected hand after stroke

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Neuroscience
• Occupational Therapy

Background:

• Therapeutic benefits of musical instrument playing, including electronic keyboards with Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI), are studied.
• The relationship between electronic keyboard playing outcomes and standardized hand function tests remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between MIDI-keyboard playing performance and established hand function tests.
• Specific hand function tests examined include grip strength, Box and Block test (BBT), and Jensen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHF).

Main Methods:

• Sixty-six stroke patients were recruited, categorized into acute (n=21), subacute (n=28), and chronic (n=17) recovery stages.
• A protocol involving sequential key pressing on a MIDI-keyboard was implemented.
• Certified occupational therapists administered all hand function assessments.

Main Results:

• MIDI-keyboard playing scores significantly correlated with BBT and grip strength across all recovery stages.
• Moderate to high correlations were observed between MIDI scores and hand function tests.
• No significant correlation was found for participants in the chronic stage or with the JTHF.

Conclusions:

• MIDI-keyboard playing demonstrates potential as an effective tool for assessing hand function, particularly hand dexterity.
• This assessment is especially relevant for acute and subacute stroke patients.
• Further research is recommended to optimize keyboard playing tasks for enhanced responsiveness in traditional hand function assessments.