Musical motor feedback (MMF) in walking hemiparetic stroke patients: randomized trials of gait improvement.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate the effect of rhythmical auditory stimulation in a musical context for gait therapy in hemiparetic stroke patients, when the stimulation is played back measure by measure initiated by the patient's heel-strikes (musical motor feedback). Does this type of musical feedback improve walking more than a less specific gait therapy?


METHODS
The randomized controlled trial considered 23 registered stroke patients. Two groups were created by randomization: the control group received 15 sessions of conventional gait therapy and the test group received 15 therapy sessions with musical motor feedback.


METHODS
Inpatient rehabilitation hospital.


METHODS
Median post-stroke interval was 44 days and the patients were able to walk without technical aids with a speed of approximately 0.71 m/s.


METHODS
Gait velocity, step duration, gait symmetry, stride length and foot rollover path length (heel-on-toe-off distance).


RESULTS
The test group showed more mean improvement than the control group: stride length increased by 18% versus 0%, symmetry deviation decreased by 58% versus 20%, walking speed increased by 27% versus 4% and rollover path length increased by 28% versus 11%.


CONCLUSIONS
Musical motor feedback improves the stroke patient's walk in selected parameters more than conventional gait therapy. A fixed memory in the patient's mind about the song and its timing may stimulate the improvement of gait even without the presence of an external pacemaker.
Schauer
Michael
M
Max-Planck-Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Leipzig, Germany. schauer@cns.mpg.de
Mauritz
Karl-Heinz
KH
D005246:Feedback / Q000502:physiology*; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009147:Music Therapy; D010291:Paresis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome