title: The effects of modified melodic intonation therapy on nonfluent aphasia: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Positive results have been reported with melodic intonation therapy (MIT) in nonfluent aphasia patients with damage to their left-brain speech processes, using the patient's intact ability to sing to promote functional language. This pilot study sought to determine the immediate effects of introducing modified melodic intonation therapy (MMIT), a modification of MIT, as an early intervention in stroke patients presenting with Broca's aphasia.
  
  
  METHODS
  After a randomized controlled single-blind design, 30 acute stroke survivors with nonfluent aphasia were randomly assigned to receive MIT treatment or no treatment. A pre/post test, based on the responsive and repetition subsections of the Western Aphasia Battery, was developed for this study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 1 session, a significant within-subject change was observed for the treatment group's adjusted total score ( p = .02), and a significant difference between groups was found for adjusted total score ( p = .02) favoring the treatment group. The treatment group also showed a significant change in their responsive subsection scores ( p = .01) when their pre-tests from Visit 1 to Visit 2 were compared, whereas the control group showed no change, suggesting a possible carry-over effect of MIT treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides preliminary data supporting the possible benefits of utilizing MMIT treatment early in the recovery of nonfluent aphasia patients.
authors.affiliation: The Music Settlement, Cleveland, OH, USA. dbconk@gmail.com
authors.forename: Dwyer
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Conklyn
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Novak
authors.forename: Adrienne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boissy
authors.forename: Francois
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bethoux
authors.forename: Kamal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chemali
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001039:Aphasia, Broca / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009146:Music; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013070:Speech Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014833:Voice Quality