Inpatient stroke survivors with low gait functioning benefit from music interventions during cardiorespiratory exercise: A randomized cross-over trial

Daniel S. Mazhari-Jensen*, Stine Lindahl Jacobsen, Kira Vibe Jespersen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaperJournal articleResearchpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Introduction: Stroke survivors struggle to meet clinical recommendations for physical exercise duration and intensity. During the past two decades, emerging evidence has shown effectiveness of music interventions for several motor tasks in stroke rehabilitation. Additionally, music has been found effective for increasing exercise performance in athletes and clinical populations. It is postulated that the therapeutic effects of music in physical exercise are modulated by preference and task-specificity of the music. Methods: We tested this hypothesis in a pilot study using a three-arm randomized cross-over design comprising the following auditory conditions during cycle ergometry cardiorespiratory exercise sessions: (a) a group-tailored music playlist, (b) radio music, and (c) a non-music control condition. Participants (n = 19) were inpatient stroke survivors undergoing rehabilitation between 2 and 12 weeks post infarct. Results: Our results demonstrate that clinical characteristics are an important determinant for identifying patients who can benefit from music. Specifically, participants with a higher level of gait functioning experienced no benefit, whereas participants with a low level of gait functioning showed an increase in both exercise duration (M = 4.46 minutes) and time spent in the recommended heart rate intensity (M = 6.39 and M = 2.49 minutes for the playlist and radio condition, respectively). Discussion: The findings suggest a beneficial role of music in rehabilitation of stroke patients with low gait functioning. Future studies should ultimately disentangle which musical parameters are more likely to induce the putative ergogenic effects. Trial registry number: NCT05398575.

Original languageEnglish
JournalNordic Journal of Music Therapy
Volume32
Issue5
Pages (from-to)462-481
Number of pages20
ISSN0809-8131
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Keywords

  • aerobic
  • cycling
  • exercise
  • inpatient
  • music
  • Stroke

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