Neurologic Music Therapy Improves Executive Function and Emotional Adjustment

Neurologic Music Therapy Improves Executive Function and Emotional Adjustment in Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation

Michael H. Thaut1, James C. Gardiner2, Dawn Holmberg1, Javan Horwitz2, Luanne Kent2, Garrett Andrews2, Beth Donelan2, Gerald R. McIntosh1

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

Volume 1169, The Neurosciences and Music III Disorders and Plasticity pages 406–416, July 2009

Abstract:

This study examined the immediate effects of neurologic music therapy (NMT) on cognitive functioning and emotional adjustment with brain-injured persons. Four treatment sessions were held, during which participants were given a pre-test, participated in 30 min of NMT that focused on one aspect of rehabilitation (attention, memory, executive function, or emotional adjustment), which was followed by post-testing. Control participants engaged in a pre-test, 30 min of rest, and then a post-test. Treatment participants showed improvement in executive function and overall emotional adjustment, and lessening of depression, sensation seeking, and anxiety. Control participants improved in emotional adjustment and lessening of hostility, but showed decreases in measures of memory, positive affect, and sensation seeking.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19673815