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Published on: March 16, 2015
Effect of Rhythm of Music Therapy on Gait in Patients with Stroke
Yao Wang1, Wei-Yi Pan1, Fei Li1
1Department of Rehabilitation, Shenzhen Dapeng New District Nan'ao People's Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518121, China.
Insights
Music therapy significantly improved gait, balance, and motor function in ischemic stroke patients. This approach enhances walking ability and patient satisfaction, offering a valuable addition to conventional rehabilitation.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Music Therapy
Background:
- Ischemic stroke frequently impairs gait and motor function.
- Conventional rehabilitation may not fully restore walking ability.
- Music therapy offers a novel approach to enhance stroke recovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of music therapy on gait parameters in ischemic stroke patients.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of music therapy in improving walking ability and motor function.
- To explore patient satisfaction with music therapy as part of stroke rehabilitation.
Main Methods:
- A prospective clinical study involving 60 ischemic stroke patients.
- Randomized allocation into a control group (conventional therapy) and a study group (conventional therapy + music therapy).
- Assessment of gait, Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and treatment satisfaction over four weeks.
Main Results:
- Music therapy group showed significant improvements in stride length, cadence, and maximum walking velocity.
- Reduced asymmetry in step length between affected and healthy sides was observed in the music therapy group.
- Higher FMA and BBS scores, along with increased treatment satisfaction, were noted in the music therapy group.
Conclusions:
- Rhythm-based music therapy effectively improves gait, walking ability, and lower limb motor function in ischemic stroke survivors.
- Music therapy enhances balance and increases patient satisfaction with rehabilitation.
- Music therapy is a valuable adjunct to conventional treatments for stroke patients, promoting better functional recovery.
Aim:
This study aims to analyze the effects of rhythm of music therapy on gait in patients with ischemic stroke, and explore the value of music therapy in walking training in stroke.
Methods:
The present study is a prospective clinical study. Sixty patients with ischemic stroke, who were admitted to our hospital from October 2017 to December 2018, were enrolled. These patients were divided into two groups, according to the method of the random number table, with thirty patients in each group: control group and study group. Patients in the control group received conventional drug therapy, rehabilitation training and walking training, while the patients in the study group were given music therapy on the basis of the above mentioned therapies for four weeks, during which Sunday was regarded as a rest day, and the music therapy was suspended. The main outcome measures included indexes in evaluating the walking ability of patients in these two groups. At each time point, the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and stroke rehabilitation treatment satisfaction questionnaire were used.
Results:
The results revealed that the stride length, cadence and maximum velocity were higher in patients in the study group, when compared to patients in the control group, at the second week and end of the therapy, and the difference in step length between the affected side and healthy side was significantly lower in the study group than in the control group. These differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). In the second week of therapy and at the end of therapy, the FMA and BBS scores were higher in the study group than in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The total satisfaction rate was higher in the study group than in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Under the stimulation of music rhythm, applying music therapy to patients with ischemic stroke can improve their gait, walking ability, lower limb motor function, balance ability and treatment satisfaction.
