An Investigation Into Music Therapy for Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Stroke Patients

Impairment of arm function is more common than lower limb impairment in stroke patients and is also more resistant to treatment. Several clinical trials with stroke patients have produced statistically significant gains in upper limb function when using instrumental playing and treatments where rhythm supports the priming and timing of movements. Based on the positive results from controlled and non-controlled trials, the Cochrane review of music therapy for acquired brain injury (Bradt, et al., 2010) recommends further investigation into rhythm based techniques to treat hemiparesis in stroke patients, and that future studies need to examine the relationship between the frequency and duration of interventions and treatment effects.

The aim of this study is to examine whether or not a thirty minute, twice weekly, six week, home music therapy treatment, playing set musical patterns on instruments to music is feasible to deliver, and will lead to improved coordination, dexterity and activities of daily living in hemiparetic stroke patients.

Twelve patients will be recruited from Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS trust (CCS) who are between one month and two years post stroke with hemiparesis. Participants will have completed and been discharged from community rehabilitation for their upper limb and not be receiving any other treatment for arm function. They will be randomised into two groups: treatment (for immediate treatment following discharge from community rehab) and waiting list (beginning 9 weeks after baseline measure). Participants will be assessed at the beginning and end of treatment (just before starting and just after completing 6 weeks of treatment) by one of two experienced community occupational therapists under contract with CCS, who are also experienced in working with stroke patients and who will be blind to the experiment. The other three measures will be conducted by the chief investigator. The assessment tools will be the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) and nine hole peg test (9HPT). There will also be a pre and post treatment semi-structured interview for each participant, which will be conducted by the chief investigator. ARAT and 9HPT assessments will be administered to all participants at the same time points: baseline and then at week 6, 9, 15 and 18. Data will be analysed to determine if the treatment is effective compared to no treatment (wait list) following community discharge, and whether earlier intervention (treatment group) yields better results for participants, all of whom will eventually receive treatment.