Training-Induced Neural Enhancement of Novel Song Learning in Chronic Aphasia: EEG Study

While singing-based rehabilitation can aid language recovery in aphasia, little is currently known about how persons with aphasia (PWA) are able to learn new songs. Using data from a previous crossover randomized controlled trial, this electroencephalography (EEG) study explored the effects of a 16-week multicomponent singing intervention on neural learning of novel song material in 24 PWA, reflected by the mismatch negativity (MMN) response, and its correlation with changes in communication and verbal learning. In pre- and postintervention EEG measurements, PWA participants listened to modulated versions of two novel songs (trained vs. untrained during intervention) using a passive oddball design with pitch, phoneme, and duration deviants embedded in the melody. Significant changes in MMN were observed for the trained versus untrained songs from pre- to postintervention for phoneme and frequency deviants. Especially for phoneme deviants, the MMN amplitude in left frontotemporal areas decreased for the trained song but increased for the untrained song. These findings suggest that singing intervention can induce neural learning of song material in PWA.