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Music heals: singing repairs the brain after a stroke

According to researchers from the University of Helsinki in Finland, singing rehabilitates speech production in post-stroke aphasia: the rehabilitative effect of singing on the brain....
Author: Patricia Alegsa
19-05-2024 16:34







  1. Music and Neuroplasticity
  2. Improvements in language network pathways
  3. Singing: an affordable and effective therapy

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Strokes, also known as cerebrovascular accidents, are the most common cause of aphasia, a speech disorder of cerebral origin that affects the ability to understand or produce spoken and written language.

It is estimated that around 40% of people who have suffered a stroke develop aphasia. Additionally, approximately half of them continue to experience aphasia symptoms one year after the initial attack.

The rehabilitative effect of singing on patients with aphasia underscores the incredible neuroplasticity of the human brain and its ability to adapt and repair itself.




Music and Neuroplasticity




Researchers from the University of Helsinki have discovered that music, specifically singing, can help in the recovery of language in patients affected by stroke.

A recent study, published in the prestigious journal eNeuro, has revealed the reason behind this rehabilitative impact of singing.

According to the findings, singing "repairs" the structural language network in the brain. The language network is responsible for processing speech and language in our brain, and in patients with aphasia, this network has been damaged.

University of Helsinki researcher Aleksi Sihvonen stated that “for the first time, our findings demonstrate that the rehabilitation of patients with aphasia through singing is based on neuroplasticity changes, that is, brain plasticity.”




Improvements in language network pathways




The language network encompasses cortical regions of the brain involved in language and speech processing, as well as white matter tracts that transmit information between different points of the cortex.

According to the study results, singing increased the volume of gray matter in the language regions of the left frontal lobe and improved the connectivity of tracts, especially in the language network of the left hemisphere, although improvements were also observed in the right hemisphere.

The scientist said, “These positive changes were associated with better speech production in the patients.”

A total of 54 patients with aphasia participated in the study, of which 28 underwent MRIs at the beginning and end of the study. Researchers used choral singing, music therapy, and singing exercises at home as methods to investigate the rehabilitative effect of singing.




Singing: an affordable and effective therapy




Aphasia has a significant impact on the functional ability and quality of life of affected individuals, and can easily lead to social isolation.

In this context, AleksiSihvonen argues that singing can be seen as a cost-effective addition to conventional forms of rehabilitation, or as a treatment for mild speech disorders in cases where access to other types of rehabilitation is limited.

"Patients can also sing with their families, and singing can be organized in healthcare units as a group and affordable rehabilitation," Sihvonen points out.

In a world where access to medical treatments can be limited, singing represents an accessible and effective option to improve the quality of life of many individuals affected by this language disorder.

As we continue to explore the connections between music and brain health, we can expect to discover more innovative and cost-effective ways to help those in need.

Source: Helsinki.fi



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