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Music and Rhythm as Promising Tools to Assess and Improve Cognitive Development in Children: A Scoping Review
J G J Visee1, J Dudink1, A L van Baar2
1Department of Neonatology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital Utrecht and Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|May 31, 2025
Summary
Music and rhythm interventions show promise for enhancing cognitive development in typically developing children. Further research is needed to confirm their benefits for children with acquired brain injuries.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Music Therapy
Background:
- Cognitive development in children requires effective monitoring and support, especially for those at risk of deficits.
- Cost-effective methods are crucial for assessing and fostering cognitive growth in pediatric populations.
- Music and rhythm-based approaches offer potential avenues for cognitive intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the diagnostic and therapeutic applications of music and rhythm for cognitive functions in children.
- To explore the impact of music and rhythm interventions on both typically developing children and those with acquired brain injuries.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO databases.
- Studies focusing on music and rhythm interventions for assessing or improving cognitive functions in children were included.
- The review encompassed children with typical development and those with acquired brain injuries.
Main Results:
- Twenty-seven studies were included, with the vast majority focusing on typically developing children.
- Key cognitive domains investigated included executive functioning, attention, intelligence, learning, sensory processing, mathematical skills, and self-regulation.
- A significant majority of studies (23 out of 27) reported positive effects of music and rhythm interventions on cognitive outcomes, particularly executive functioning and attention.
Conclusions:
- Music and rhythm-based interventions demonstrate potential for assessing and enhancing cognitive development in typically developing children.
- The efficacy of these interventions for children with acquired brain injuries requires further investigation.
- Additional research is warranted to fully understand the scope and impact of music and rhythm in pediatric cognitive rehabilitation.
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