Currently, much attention was paied for improving upper limbs motor function after stroke, however effective methods arelacked. Music therapy is a kind of new rehabilitation technology. This article discussed the influence, the evaluation method and mechanismof music therapy on stroke patients with upper limbs motor dysfunction.

ObjectiveTo observe the differences of brain functioning between dominant and non-dominant hemispheres during rehabilitation for subacute stroke based on functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). MethodsFrom September, 2019 to June, 2020, ten subacute stroke inpatients with left hemiplegia (non-dominant hemisphere group) and 16 with right hemiplegia (dominant hemisphere group) from Beijing Bo'ai Hospital received the same unilateral task-oriented occupational therapy for upper limbs, for four weeks. They were assessed with Action Research Arm Test, Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities and grip strength before and after treatment, and scanned with fNIRS to the β value of bilateral sensorimotor cortex, premotor cortex and prefrontal cortex according to the changes of oxyhemoglobin concentration. ResultsAll the indexes of assessment improved in the both groups after treatment (|t| > 3.253, P < 0.05), while the scores of Action Research Arm Test and grip strength improved more in the dominant hemisphere group than in the non-dominant hemisphere group (|t| > 2.154, P < 0.05). For the β value of fNIRS, there was no main effect on time, region and groups (F < 0.542, P > 0.05), and the interactive effect between region and group was significant (F = 4.226, P < 0.01): In the dominant hemisphere group, the β value was higher in the ipsilateral premotor cortex than in the contralateral cortex (P = 0.030), and it was less in the contralateral prefrontal cortex than in the ipsilateral sensorimotor cortex (P = 0.024), ipsilateral premotor cortex (P = 0.003) and ipsilateral prefrontal cortex (P = 0.018). ConclusionFor the subacute stroke patients with right hemiplegia, the activation of brain regions is different between dominant and non-dominant hemispheres during the rehabilitation of upper limb and hand.

ObjectiveTo compare the effect of routine speech training and computer-assisted training on post-stroke dysarthria. MethodsFrom March, 2021 to April, 2023, 72 patients with post-stroke dysarthria in Beijing Bo'ai Hospital were randomly divided into control group (n = 36) and experimental group (n = 36). Both groups received routine rehabilitation, while the control group received routine speech training, and the experimental group received computer-assisted training, for four weeks. They were assessed with modified Frenchay Dysarthria Assessment (m-FDA) and Speech Intelligibility (SI) before and after intervention. ResultsEight cases in the control group and one case in the experimental group dropped down. The scores of m-FDA and SI improved in both groups after treatment (|Z| > 4.183, P < 0.001), and there was no significant difference between two groups (|Z| < 1.598, P > 0.05). Noninferiority of m-FDA was found between two groups (|t| > 3.656, P < 0.001). ConclusionComputer-assisted training could improve the speech function of patients with post-stroke dysarthria, similar to routine speech training.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of music therapy on cognitive function, motor function, and activities of daily living (ADL) of patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment. MethodsFrom December, 2020 to July, 2022, 48 patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment in Beijing Bo'ai Hospital were enrolled and randomly divided into control group (n = 24) and experimental group (n = 24). Both groups received conventional medication, nursing, and conventional rehabilitation, while the experimental group received music therapy additionally, for eight weeks. Before and after intervention, the cognitive function was assessed by Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA), and motor function and ADL were assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and modified Barthel Index (MBI), respectively. ResultsSix cases in the control group dropped down. The increase in the scores of LOTCA and FMA was more in the experimental group than in the control group (t > 2.665, P < 0.05), however, no significant difference was found in the increase of MBI score between two groups. ConclusionMusic therapy could improve the cognitive function and motor function of patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment.

Objective To investigate the effect of music therapy combined with routine medication and rehabilitation training on motor function of hand of patients with brain injury. Methods 30 brain injury patients with hemiplegia were divided into sound group (n=15) and no-sound group (n=15). Besides routine medication and rehabilitation training, two groups received instrument training, one for open music and the other for closed music, 30 minutes a day for 4 weeks. They were evaluated with Simple Test for Evaluating Hand Function (STEF) and Modified Barthel Index (MBI) before and after training to assess hand function and activities of daily living (ADL) respectively. Results The scores of STEF and MBI improved in both groups after training (P<0.01). The score of STEF was better in the sound group than in the no-sound group (P<0.01) while the score of MBI showed no difference between the two groups (P>0.05). The items as taking metal pieces, taking small balls, and taking small metal rod improved most in the sound group while the items as taking small cubic, taking small metal rod, and taking artificial leather improved most in the no-sound group. The items as dressing oneself, cleaning after defecating and urinating,and making up improved most in the two groups. Conclusion Music therapy combined with routine medication and rehabilitation training can facilitate to improve fine movement function of hand of hemiplegic patients, such as movement speed, precision.