Modified Melodic Intonation Therapy for Acquired Non-Fluent Aphasia

Abstract

For decades Melodic Intonation Therapy (MIT) has shown good potential within the aphasia population, yet has seldom been used as a frontline treatment, rather placed within a myriad of treatment techniques utilized during aphasia therapy. Debate continues regarding the mechanisms of change from MIT, both therapeutically and neurologically. Modified Melodic Intonation Therapy (MMIT) has developed through the work of Music Therapists and, as the main focus of treatment for non-fluent aphasia, can be an effective means of language re-acquisition for improved speech production. Clinical results from 7 clients with chronic non-fluent aphasia who received MMIT are discussed.

Therapies and Challenges in the Post-Stroke Aphasia Rehabilitation Arena: Current and Future Prospects

“…The two main components of MIT are (i) rhythmic tapping of the left hand that accompanies the production of syllables, and (ii) exaggeration of the natural prosody of speech [ 52 ]. There is emerging evidence favoring the efficacy of MIT [ 53 , 54 ], and, for that reason, several modified MIT protocols have been evaluated by different research centers and clinical settings e.g., [ 55 ].…”