Posters
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Medical Student
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Medical Student
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Medical Student
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Medical Student
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Medical Education
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Neuroscience
Presentation Type
Poster
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Clinical Science
Abstract Type
Research/Clinical
Abstract
Background: Strokes and traumatic brain injuries are neuronal injuries that can impact the motor, sensory, and cognitive abilities of an affected individual, and may necessitate therapy of multiple forms to regain back total or partial functionality and independence in their daily lives. Music assists in stimulating multiple brain regions, and when incorporated into rehabilitation, it has the potential to impact stroke and traumatic brain injury recovery. This literature review focuses on the efficacy of two novel music therapy approaches, melodic intonation therapy (MIT) and rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS), on recovery from aphasia and restoration of gait, respectively, to assess whether they should be implemented on a widespread clinical basis.
Methods: Two separate electronic literature reviews were conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and the Journal of Music Therapy, using Boolean operators and key words of “melodic intonation therapy”, “rhythmic auditory stimulation”, “stroke”, “aphasia”, “gait”, and “traumatic brain injury”. Results were then screened for randomized controlled trials and pilot studies with at least 15 in sample size, checked for duplicates, and then sorted based on results and conclusions.
Results: The MIT search yielded 64 results in PubMed, of which 4 were included, 5 results in the Journal of Music Therapy, of which 0 were included, and 98 results in Google Scholar, of which 8 were included. Upon checking for duplicates, 9 articles remained. The RAS search yielded 78 results in PubMed, of which 5 were included, 16 results in the Journal of Music Therapy, of which 0 were included, and 198 results in Google Scholar, of which 9 were included. Upon checking for duplicates, 13 articles remained.
Conclusion: For MIT, 9 out of 9 trials were statistically in favor of the efficacy, benefit, and use of melodic intonation therapy, and for RAS, 12 out of 13 trials were statistically in favor of the efficacy, benefit, and use of rhythmic auditory stimulation as a supplement to gait training. It should be noted that the samples sizes in most studies were limited, and this field is full of innovation but lacks duplication and standardization. Most of the studies included have also made mention of a need of duplication or a larger-scale study to confirm their findings.
Recommended Citation
Woolman, Bethany; Mourao, Nina; Elliott, Joshua K.; Mito, Shizue; and Alliey-Rodriguez, Ney, "A Review of Key Music Therapy Approaches to Unlocking Recovery from Stroke and Traumatic Brain Injury" (2025). Research Symposium. 32.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/somrs/2025/posters/32
A Review of Key Music Therapy Approaches to Unlocking Recovery from Stroke and Traumatic Brain Injury
Background: Strokes and traumatic brain injuries are neuronal injuries that can impact the motor, sensory, and cognitive abilities of an affected individual, and may necessitate therapy of multiple forms to regain back total or partial functionality and independence in their daily lives. Music assists in stimulating multiple brain regions, and when incorporated into rehabilitation, it has the potential to impact stroke and traumatic brain injury recovery. This literature review focuses on the efficacy of two novel music therapy approaches, melodic intonation therapy (MIT) and rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS), on recovery from aphasia and restoration of gait, respectively, to assess whether they should be implemented on a widespread clinical basis.
Methods: Two separate electronic literature reviews were conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and the Journal of Music Therapy, using Boolean operators and key words of “melodic intonation therapy”, “rhythmic auditory stimulation”, “stroke”, “aphasia”, “gait”, and “traumatic brain injury”. Results were then screened for randomized controlled trials and pilot studies with at least 15 in sample size, checked for duplicates, and then sorted based on results and conclusions.
Results: The MIT search yielded 64 results in PubMed, of which 4 were included, 5 results in the Journal of Music Therapy, of which 0 were included, and 98 results in Google Scholar, of which 8 were included. Upon checking for duplicates, 9 articles remained. The RAS search yielded 78 results in PubMed, of which 5 were included, 16 results in the Journal of Music Therapy, of which 0 were included, and 198 results in Google Scholar, of which 9 were included. Upon checking for duplicates, 13 articles remained.
Conclusion: For MIT, 9 out of 9 trials were statistically in favor of the efficacy, benefit, and use of melodic intonation therapy, and for RAS, 12 out of 13 trials were statistically in favor of the efficacy, benefit, and use of rhythmic auditory stimulation as a supplement to gait training. It should be noted that the samples sizes in most studies were limited, and this field is full of innovation but lacks duplication and standardization. Most of the studies included have also made mention of a need of duplication or a larger-scale study to confirm their findings.
