Published on
Updated
Reading 2 mins.
A new study reveals that singing can help stroke patients regain the use of language.
Loss of speech or difficulty finding words (aphasia) are common sequelae of stroke. About 40% of people who have had a stroke have aphasia, a difficulty in understanding or producing spoken or written language caused by a stroke. In half of these cases, the language disorder still persists a year after the stroke. Good news though: researchers at the University of Helsinki have found the solution to it – using the powers of chanting.
54 stroke victims participated in the study
Previous research has established that the ability to sing can be retained even with severe aphasia. However, the use of singing, especially choral singing, in the rehabilitation of aphasia has not been widely studied.
As part of this new study, conducted by researchers at the University of Helsinki, 54 people with aphasia and 43 caregivers were recruited.
Half of the stroke victims received standard treatments while the others took part in singing lessons once a week for 4 months.
During these 60-minute lessons, participants learned to sing in a choir with the help of a music therapist and a trained choir director.
The patients also followed a melodic and rhythmic therapy (Melodic Intonation Therapy or MIT) of 30 min once a week and online singing lessons at home (via a tablet), 3 times a week.
“Our study used a wide variety of singing elements, such as choral singing, melodic intonation therapy, and tablet-assisted singing training.“, says doctoral student Anni Pitkäniemi.
Result ? Five months after the start of the trial, the participants who followed the re-education by singing showed a marked improvement in their verbal communication and their social exchanges. Reactive speech production was also greater.
After nine months, the results obtained by the scientists confirmed the benefits of singing on the participants.
Beneficial effects have also been observed in caregivers
The researchers noted a benefit for the patient but also for caregivers!
“The burden experienced by family caregivers participating in the study has also decreased significantly“, say the scientists.
Therefore, researchers recommend using this singing-based rehabilitation in a group setting.
“In addition to speech production training, group rehabilitation provides an excellent opportunity for peer support for both patients and their families.“, concludes Sini-Tuuli Siponkoski, co-author of the study.