An integrative cognitive rehabilitation using neurologic music therapy in multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease, affecting both the sensorimotor and cognitive systems. The typical pattern of cognitive impairment includes reduced speed of information processing, decreased phonological and semantic speech fluency, deficits in verbal and visual episodic memory, as well as attention and executive dysfunctions. We aimed to investigate the influence of the neurologic music therapy (NMT) on mood, motivation, emotion status, and cognitive functions in patients with MS. Methods: Thirty patients with MS were randomly divided in 2 groups: the control group (CG) undergoing conventional cognitive rehabilitation (CCR), 6 times a week for 8 weeks, and the experimental group (EG) undergoing CCR 3 times a week for 8 weeks plus NMT techniques, performed 3 times a week for 8 weeks. All the participants were submitted to the same amount of treatment. Each patient was evaluated before (baseline: T0) and immediately after the end of each training (T1). Main outcomes measures: We used as main outcome measure: the brief repeatable battery of neuropsychological test to assess various cognitive abilities; and the multiple sclerosis quality of life-54 (MSQoL-54). Results: Both the groups benefit from 8 weeks of CR. In particular, the EG got better results in cognitive function, with regard to selective reminding test long term storage (P < .000), long term retrieval (P = .007), and delayed recall of the 10/36 spatial recall test (P = .001), as compared with the CG. Moreover, the improvement in emotional status, motivation, mood and quality of life (with regard to the mental component; P < .000) was more evident in the EG. Conclusions: NMT could be considered a complementary approach to enhance CCR in patients affected by MS.

Effects of emotionally incongruent musical excerpts on memory retrieval

“…Recent studies emphasize the effectiveness of Neurologic Music Therapy (Impellizzeri et al, 2020; Thaut & Janzen, 2019). Neurologic Music Therapy consists of two techniques: (1) Associative Mood and Memory Training and (2) Music in Psychosocial Training and Counselling.…”

“…That mood state is viewed as a process that underlies memory retrieval; through receptive (listening to music) or active (singing) music techniques; an individual experiences a shift in mood or an increase of mood. That in turn activates an associative memory network and generates access to memories (Impellizzeri et al, 2020). The incongruence effect demonstrated in our study may guide further psychological interventions.…”

Music-based therapy in rehabilitation of people with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review of clinical trials

“…Terapia baseada na música na reabilitação de indivíduos com esclerose múltipla: revisão sistemática de ensaios clínicos INTRODUCTION Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune and neurodegenerative disorder characterized by destruction of myelin in the central nervous system (CNS), caused by a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors 1,2 . MS is mostly diagnosed in young adults, with disease onset occurring in most cases between the ages of 20 and 40 years 3,4,5 .…”

“…Impellizzeri et al 2 conducted a study with a sample composed of 30 MS participants. These were randomly in 2 groups: the CG underwent conventional cognitive rehabilitation (CCR) (6 times a week for 8 weeks); and the EG underwent CCR plus NMT techniques (3 times a week for 8 weeks).…”

The use of music for children and adolescents living with rare diseases in the healthcare setting: a scoping review study protocol

“…There is substantial evidence demonstrating the positive impact of music on an individual's health and well-being (Hagemann et al, 2019;Impellizzeri et al, 2020;Irons et al, 2020;Ørjasęter et al, 2018;Picard et al, 2014;Tamplin et al, 2014).…”