Neural Mechanisms of Music Intervention Chronic Arm Hemiparesis Following Stroke: A Single Case Series EEG Study

The aims of the study are to recruit five participants with stroke upper limb hemiparesis and determine the effects on neural reorganisation of a three-week music intervention using electroencephalogram measures.

Secondly, the researchers will measure for changes in arm function before and after the three-week music intervention.

This is a single-arm pre-/post experiment

Primary research questions:

What are the neuroplastic changes induced by Therapeutic Instrumental Music Performance (TIMP)?

Secondary research questions What are the functional changes in hemiparetic arm and hand induced by TIMP?

Participants will be recruited once they have completed their statutory community stroke rehabilitation.

They will receive 15 X music therapy sessions in their home over three-weeks. Exercises will be delivered by trained clinicians, including music therapists and stroke rehabilitations specialists.

Exercises will be facilitated for full range of arm movement, using a range of percussion instruments on stands and handheld, and iPad with touchscreen instruments, which include keyboards and string instruments that can be played using pinch-grip, holding a stylus/plectrum.

Pre-/post intervention period EEG recordings will made. Stroke Specific Quality of Life (SSQoL), Action Research Arm Test and nine-hole-peg-test data will be collected from participants in their homes at weeks: 1, 4, 7 and 10.