Music-Supported Therapy induces plasticity in the sensorimotor cortex in chronic stroke: A single-case study using multimodal imaging (fMRI-TMS)

Nuria Rojo*, Julian Amengual, Montserrat Juncadella, Francisco Rubio, Estela Camara, Josep Marco-Pallares, Sabine Schneider, Misericordia Veciana, Jordi Montero, Bahram Mohammadi, Eckart Altenmüller, Carles Grau, Thomas F. Münte, Antoni Rodriguez-Fornells

*Corresponding author for this work
44 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Primary objective: Music-Supported Therapy (MST) has been developed recently in order to improve the use of the affected upper extremity after stroke. This study investigated the neuroplastic mechanisms underlying effectiveness in a patient with chronic stroke. Methods: MST uses musical instruments, a midi piano and an electronic drum set emitting piano sounds, to retrain fine and gross movements of the paretic upper extremity. Data are presented from a patient with a chronic stroke (20 months post-stroke) with residual right-sided hemiparesis who took part in 20 MST sessions over the course of 4 weeks. Results: Post-therapy, a marked improvement of movement quality, assessed by 3D movement analysis, was observed. Moreover, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of a sequential hand movement revealed distinct therapy-related changes in the form of a reduction of excess contralateral and ipsilateral activations. This was accompanied by changes in cortical excitability evidenced by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Functional MRI in a music listening task suggests that one of the effects of MST is the task-dependent coupling of auditory and motor cortical areas. Conclusions: The MST appears to be a useful neurorehabilitation tool in patients with chronic stroke and leads to neural reorganization in the sensorimotor cortex.

Original languageEnglish
JournalBrain Injury
Volume25
Issue number7-8
Pages (from-to)787-793
Number of pages7
ISSN0269-9052
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01.01.2011

Research Areas and Centers

  • Academic Focus: Center for Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM)

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