Music-based techniques and related devices in neurorehabilitation: a scoping review

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

The music as a powerful, and versatile stimulus for the brain, is at the date sometimes used in neurorehabilitation and proposed as a promising complementary strategy provided in combination with other therapy in individuals with neurological disorders. Different techniques and devices have been developed in the field of the music-based neurorehabilitation.

Areas covered:

This scoping review analyzes the current scientific literature concerning the different techniques and devices used in the music-supported neurorehabilitation, also focusing on the devices used in music-based therapies in patients with neurological disorders: 46 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included.

Expert opinion:

Included studies, highlight the potentiality and the versatility of the music-based therapy in the rehabilitation of neurological disorders. The variety of existing techniques allow to applied the music-based therapy in different situations and conditions. Moreover, the wide range of used devices that ranging from the simple musical instruments to the more advanced technologies, allows to develop customized exercises based on the needs of the patient. This review may be considered as a starting point to better design future RCTs that would investigate the effectiveness of music therapy on neurological disorders.

KEYWORDS:

• Music therapy
• neurological disorders
• neurologic music therapy
• medical devices

Article highlights

• The use of specific techniques based on music, has been shown to induce brain adaptation which involves auditory, sensory and motor circuits, in both childhood and adulthood

• The Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) is placed as the therapeutic application of the music to recovery cognitive, sensory and motor disorders in patients with neurological diseases

• Studies shown a wide variability in terms of techniques and used devices for administering music therapy that limits the possibility to find strong scientific evidences about the best possible approach.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Declaration of interest

The Authors declare that there is no conflict of interest. The authors report no financial support.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.