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Stroke survivors could benefit from music and mindful music listening

According to new research, published in the International Journal of Stroke, music and mindful music listening could help with more effective recovery of impaired cognitive abilities in stroke survivors.

Researchers at the University of Glasgow, University of Edinburgh, University of East Anglia and NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde conducted the 'Measuring the effects of listening for leisure on outcome after stroke' (MELLO) study, which included 72 participants who had suffered an ischaemic stroke. They were randomly assigned to three groups: the first one was asked to listen to music, the second one to music plus mindfulness practice and the third one to audiobooks, one hour daily for eight weeks.

The mindful music listening group said listening helped them with relaxation, focusing and concentration, and managing their emotions. The music-listening group reported an increase in their activity levels after listening to music. Both groups reported assistance in recalling memories from the past by listening to music. Compared with the audiobook group, the other two groups demonstrated better recovery of memory functions on standardised tests of cognitive function.

Professor Jonathan Evans, the lead investigator, said: "Although more research is needed, the MELLO study’s encouraging results suggest that this low-cost intervention, which can be done at home, may have positive benefits for people recovering from a stroke."


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