Music-based interventions

Music-based interventions in neurological rehabilitation

Dr Aleksi J Sihvonen, MDCorrespondence information about the author Dr Aleksi J SihvonenEmail the author Dr Aleksi J Sihvonen

, 

Teppo Särkämö, PhD

, 

Vera Leo, MA

, 

Mari Tervaniemi, PhD

, 

Eckart Altenmüller, MD

, 

Seppo Soinila, MD

Published: 26 June 2017

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(17)30168-0

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Summary

Jump to SectionIntroductionMusic-based interventions for strokeMusic-based interventions for dementiaMusic-based interventions for Parkinson's diseaseMusic-based interventions for multiple sclerosisMusic-based interventions for epilepsyMechanisms underlying the rehabilitative effect of musicConclusions and future directionsSearch strategy and selection criteriaReferences

During the past ten years, an increasing number of controlled studies have assessed the potential rehabilitative effects of music-based interventions, such as music listening, singing, or playing an instrument, in several neurological diseases. Although the number of studies and extent of available evidence is greatest in stroke and dementia, there is also evidence for the effects of music-based interventions on supporting cognition, motor function, or emotional wellbeing in people with Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, or multiple sclerosis. Music-based interventions can affect divergent functions such as motor performance, speech, or cognition in these patient groups. However, the psychological effects and neurobiological mechanisms underlying the effects of music interventions are likely to share common neural systems for reward, arousal, affect regulation, learning, and activity-driven plasticity. Although further controlled studies are needed to establish the efficacy of music in neurological recovery, music-based interventions are emerging as promising rehabilitation strategies.