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Music Upper Limb Therapy-Integrated Provides a Feasible Enriched Environment and Reduces Post-stroke Depression: A
Anna Palumbo1, Viswanath Aluru, Jessica Battaglia
1From the Rehabilitation Science Program, Department of Occupational Therapy (AP) and Nordoff Robbins Center for Music Therapy (AP, AT), NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, New York, New York; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, NYU Langone School of Medicine, New York, New York (VA, DG, CB, PR); Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York (VA, JB, MR); Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York (DG); Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Miami Cancer Institute, Baptist Health South Florida, Miami, Florida (AC); Department of Population Health (GO) and Skirball Institute (LK, MVC, RCF), NYU Langone School of Medicine, New York, New York; and Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Department of Medicine (JKU) and Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Neurology (PR), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
Music therapy integrated with upper limb exercises (MULT-I) reduced depression and increased neurotrophic factors in stroke survivors. A home exercise program (HEP) improved limb function, highlighting different rehabilitation benefits.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Psychology
Background:
- Stroke rehabilitation requires effective strategies to improve motor function and emotional well-being.
- Enriched environments may enhance neuroplasticity and recovery post-stroke.
- Music therapy has shown potential in therapeutic interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To refine Music Upper Limb Therapy-Integrated (MULT-I) as a feasible enriched environment for stroke rehabilitation.
- To compare the biologic and behavioral effects of MULT-I with a home exercise program (HEP).
Main Methods:
- A randomized mixed-methods study involving 30 adults with post-stroke hemiparesis.
- Biologic effects measured by serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and oxytocin levels.
- Behavioral outcomes included upper limb function, disability, quality of life, emotional well-being, and qualitative interviews.
Main Results:
- MULT-I significantly reduced depression and increased BDNF levels compared to HEP.
- MULT-I participants showed improvements in quality of life and self-perceived recovery.
- HEP participants demonstrated improvements in upper limb function.
- Qualitative data indicated MULT-I offered psychosocial support and enjoyment, while HEP facilitated self-management.
Conclusions:
- Music-enriched environments (MULT-I) are feasible, reduce post-stroke depression, and may enhance neural recovery via increased BDNF.
- Home exercise programs (HEP) can effectively improve upper limb function through self-management.
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