How music can affect your body
This week: It boosts stroke recovery
PLAYING music during stroke rehabilitation can improve patients’ movement and brain function, reports the journal Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation.
In a study at Anglia Ruskin University, patients used keyboards, drums, hand-held percussion and music-making apps during their rehabilitation therapy sessions.
After two years, their mood, concentration, arm function and gait were much better than patients who had standard rehabilitation without music.
Repetition is essential for helping the brain rewire new pathways after a stroke – and the study found doing repetitive exercises with music is more pleasurable, less tiring and more motivating than doing it without.
Researchers are applying for permanent NHS-funded music therapy on the stroke ward at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge.
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