Neurologic Music Therapy Improves Executive Function and Emotional Adjustment in

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

Citation:
Thaut, M., Gardiner, J., Holmberg, D., Horwitz, J., Kent, L., Andrews, G., & McIntosh, G. R.
(2009). Neurologic music therapy improves executive function and emotional adjustment in traumatic brain injury rehabilitation. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1169(1), 406-416.

DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04585.x

University Affiliations: Center for Biomedical Research in Music, Colorado State University

Abstract:
This study examined the immediate effects of neurologicmusic 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.

Keywords: brain injury; neurologic music therapy; cognitive rehabilitation; attention;
memory; executive function; emotional adjustment