Neuropharmacology & Neurotherapeutics
Fluoxetine
Oct. 05, 2021
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Toll Free (U.S. + Canada): 800-452-2400
US Number: +1-619-640-4660
Support: service@medlink.com
Editor: editor@medlink.com
ISSN: 2831-9125
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01.21.2025
Music has long been recognized for its ability to evoke emotion and enhance cognitive function, but in recent decades, researchers have increasingly focused on its potential therapeutic role in neurorehabilitation. Music therapy is now an established tool in the treatment of neurologic disorders, from stroke to Parkinson disease, due to its ability to engage and synchronize brain regions involved in motor control, cognition, and emotional regulation. Numerous studies have demonstrated that music-based interventions can improve recovery outcomes in patients with neurologic impairments by stimulating neuroplasticity, enhancing motor skills, and supporting emotional well-being.
For neurologists, understanding the mechanisms and evidence behind music therapy can provide valuable insights into how this non-invasive treatment may be integrated into clinical practice to support neurologic recovery.
One of the most well-documented uses of music in neurorehabilitation is rhythmic auditory stimulation, which uses the rhythmic properties of music to improve motor function, particularly in patients recovering from stroke or living with Parkinson disease.
Melodic intonation therapy has proven to be an effective intervention for patients with aphasia, particularly following a stroke. Melodic intonation therapy leverages the brain’s preserved ability to process melody and rhythm, which are often housed in the right hemisphere, to compensate for damage to the language-dominant left hemisphere.
Beyond motor and language recovery, music has been found to enhance cognitive function and emotional well-being in patients with neurologic impairments. Music engages the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, key areas for memory and executive function, making it a valuable tool in treating patients with cognitive deficits following stroke or traumatic brain injury.
Music therapy has shown particular promise in treating patients with Parkinson disease and dementia. In addition to improving motor function, music has cognitive and emotional benefits that can improve the quality of life for patients with neurodegenerative diseases.
Music therapy is emerging as a powerful tool in neurorehabilitation, supported by a growing body of research. Studies demonstrate that music, through mechanisms such as rhythmic synchronization, melodic processing, and emotional engagement, can enhance neuroplasticity, improve motor function, facilitate language recovery, and support cognitive rehabilitation. For neurologists, incorporating music-based therapies into treatment plans offers a noninvasive, patient-centered approach to improving outcomes in patients with stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson disease, and other neurologic conditions.
As research continues to expand, music therapy is likely to play an increasingly important role in the rehabilitation landscape, offering new avenues for treatment and recovery in neurologic care.
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MedLink®, LLC
3525 Del Mar Heights Rd, Ste 304
San Diego, CA 92130-2122
Toll Free (U.S. + Canada): 800-452-2400
US Number: +1-619-640-4660
Support: service@medlink.com
Editor: editor@medlink.com
ISSN: 2831-9125