Nuanced effects of music interventions on rehabilitation outcomes after stroke: a systematic review

Background: Music is affordable and easily integrated in rehabilitation exercises, and has demonstrated different effects on the brain. We hypothesized that music interventions could improve rehabilitation outcomes after stroke.

Objective: the aim of our review is to determine the effectiveness of different types of music interventions according to the rehabilitation objectives after stroke.

Method: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials, clinical controlled trials and cross-over design performed on PubMed and PEDro in May 2018. All of these studies focus on acute, sub-acute or chronic stroke rehabilitation with music or rhythmic auditory stimulation intervention in adults during clinical outcomes. Two independent reviewers extracted the data and assessed the risk of bias before bringing it together.

Results: Twenty-seven studies were included and analyzed. Our review found positive effects on physical status (upper-limb activity; gait parameters, balance), on cognition (neglect, attention, communication) and mood. The analysis of the quality of the evidence showed that a majority of the studies had a high risk of bias.

Conclusion: Focusing on high to moderate level evidence, our review highlighted that rhythmic auditory stimulation has a positive effect on gait and balance; that receptive music therapy improves mood as well as some cognitive functions; that there is not enough evidence to determine the effectiveness of active music therapy and melodic intonation therapy. High-quality trials with large samples would be necessary to further assess and/or recommend these interventions.