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SYSTEMATIC REVIEW article

Front. Neurol.
Sec. Neurorehabilitation
Volume 15 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1395312
This article is part of the Research Topic The Regulatory Mechanism of Multiple Sensory Stimulation Methods in the Treatment of Central Nervous System Diseases View all articles

Neurologic Music Therapy for Non-fluent Aphasia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Provisionally accepted
Jiayi Gu Jiayi Gu 1Wei Long Wei Long 1*Siqin Zeng Siqin Zeng 2*Chengjuan Li Chengjuan Li 3Cuini Fang Cuini Fang 1*Xiaoying Zhang Xiaoying Zhang 4*
  • 1 Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, Changsha, China
  • 2 Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
  • 3 The First Hospital of Changsha, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
  • 4 China Rehabilitation Research Center, Capital Medical University, Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    The efficacy of neurologic music therapy (NMT) techniques for the treatment of non-fluent aphasia has been widely accepted by the rehabilitation medical community. However, consensus on which dimensions of speech function can be improved by NMT techniques and standardized intervention dosage remains elusive. This study aimed to provide evidence regarding the efficacy of NMT in improving speech function and explore the optimal intervention dose. A systematic review and metaanalysis were conducted to search for randomized clinical trials and open-label trials that evaluated speech functions after NMT. We searched all papers and reviews published from database inception to July 2023, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, and CNKI. Statistical analyses were mainly carried out on RevManV5.4.1 and pooled using a random-effects model. The primary outcome was the standardized mean difference (SMD) in speech functions, determined by calculating the change in speech functions score from baseline to the primary endpoint in the NMT group versus the control arm. A total of 11 studies with 329 patients were included. NMT had a positive effect on repetition ability (SMD=0.37, 95%CI [0.12, 0.62], P<0.05), but did not lead to significant differences in naming, comprehension, spontaneous speech, or communication. When the intervention time was > 20 hours, NMT exhibited a significant advantage at improving repetition ability (SMD=0.43, 95%CI [0.06, 0.79], P<0.05). This study provides evidence supporting the NMT enhancement of repetition ability in patients with non-fluent aphasia. Future large-sample studies are required to determine the optimal intervention dose of music therapy for different subtypes of nonfluent aphasia.

    Keywords: Neurologic music therapy, Aphasia, Systematic review, Meta-analysis, Speech function

    Received: 07 Mar 2024; Accepted: 07 May 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Gu, Long, Zeng, Li, Fang and Zhang. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence:
    Wei Long, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, Changsha, China
    Siqin Zeng, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan Province, China
    Cuini Fang, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, Changsha, China
    Xiaoying Zhang, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100068, Beijing Municipality, China

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.