Health UK (Commonwealth Union) – In the realm of healthcare and wellness, the transformative power of music therapy has been gaining recognition and acclaim. As an innovative and holistic approach, music therapy has demonstrated a myriad of benefits for individuals across various age groups and health conditions.
University College London (UCL) and University College London Hospitals (UCLH) researchers are embarking on a groundbreaking trial to investigate the potential benefits of music therapy in aiding the recovery of patients with severe brain injuries. Conducted at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN), the study focuses on individuals recuperating from conditions such as stroke and aphasia.
While existing evidence suggests that music therapy can enhance memory and mood in these patient groups, this trial represents the first randomized control trial at UCLH. It targets individuals with severe brain injuries undergoing specialized rehabilitation, aligning with the recommendation by NICE in their October 2023 stroke rehabilitation guideline.
The intensive three-to-four-month program will be integrated into the rehabilitation of inpatients already referred for treatment at UCLH. Various measures, including daily activity independence, mobility, communication with loved ones, mood, and overall well-being, will be assessed before, during, and after the therapy sessions.
Researchers of the study further indicated that the music therapy sessions will actively engage patients, inviting them to play instruments, sing familiar songs, improvise music, or combine these activities. Alternatively, patients may choose to listen to and discuss music or work toward specific musical goals. The fluid nature of the therapy allows for responsiveness to each patient’s preferences.
Dr. Sara Ajina, the lead for the trial from UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine at UCLH, indicated that the potential of music therapy to activate multiple brain regions and hopes the study will provide robust evidence supporting its inclusion in rehabilitation programs for patients recovering from severe brain injuries.
“If we can do this, we will build on indications which already suggest that the therapy can help with things like communication, mood and anxiety levels. And we will help ensure more patients have access to the therapy in future.”
In the control arm of the trial, participants will receive an alternative recreation-based intervention. If they are still hospitalized, upon completing the control intervention, they will be offered music therapy.
The trial, spearheaded by UCL and UCLH, collaborates with the music therapy charity Nordoff and Robbins, which will administer the music therapy sessions. Funding for the trial is provided by UCLH Charity, supplemented by additional support from The National Brain Appeal.
Rebecca Burns, a music therapist at Nordoff and Robbins responsible for delivering one-to-one therapy sessions, highlighted the comprehensive impact of music on individuals—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. She emphasized the versatility of music as a tool in neurorehabilitation, citing its ability to improve mood, stimulate positive memories, foster social connection, and provide an outlet for self-expression, even for those facing challenges in verbal communication.
Nicola Perkins, a speech and language therapist in the UCLH neurorehabilitation unit, established the trial to be inclusive of individuals facing severe thinking and/or communication difficulties, a group typically excluded from research participation. This inclusive approach allows all patients currently undergoing recovery from severe brain injury at UCLH to participate in the trial.
The trial’s initiation follows a successful feasibility study conducted in 2019 by Rebecca Burns. Notably, in that study, 100% of participants who underwent the therapy strongly concurred on its potential benefits.
For instance, patients reported perceived enhancements in self-esteem, social interaction, and anxiety (92%), cognitive skills (88%), and communication skills and speech (84%). Furthermore, 76% of participants felt that the impact of the therapy extended beyond the actual sessions.
