Music Upper Limb Therapy–Integrated Provides a Feasible Enriched Environment and Reduces Post-stroke Depression
Year: 2021
Type: article
Study design: Clinical Trial
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This study's aims were to refine Music Upper Limb Therapy-Integrated (MULT-I) to create a feasible enriched environment for stroke rehabilitation and compare its biologic and behavioral effects with that of a home exercise program (HEP). DESIGN: This was a randomized mixed-methods study of 30 adults with post-stroke hemiparesis. Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor and oxytocin levels measured biologic effects, and upper limb function, disability, quality of life, and emotional well-being were assessed as behavioral outcomes. Participant experiences were explored using semistructured interviews. RESULTS: MULT-I participants showed reduced depression from preintervention to postintervention as compared with HEP participants. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels significantly increased for MULT-I participants but decreased for HEP participants, with a significant difference between groups after excluding those with post-stroke depression. MULT-I participants additionally improved quality of life and self-perceived physical strength, mobility, activity, participation, and recovery from preintervention to postintervention. HEP participants improved upper limb function. Qualitatively, MULT-I provided psychosocial support and enjoyment, whereas HEP supported self-management of rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of a music-enriched environment is feasible, reduces post-stroke depression, and may enhance the neural environment for recovery via increases in brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels. Self-management of rehabilitation through an HEP may further improve upper limb function.
Authors: Anna Palumbo, Viswanath Aluru, Jessica Battaglia, Daniel Geller, Alan Turry, Marc Ross, Adrian Cristian, Caitlin Balagula, Gbenga Ogedegbe, Latika Khatri, Moses V. Chao, Robert C. Froemke, Jacek K. Urbanek, Preeti Raghavan
Language: English
Subfield: Rehabilitation
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4200184823