Research Article  |   May 2013
Listening to Classical Music Ameliorates Unilateral Neglect After Stroke
Pei-Luen Tsai; Mei-Ching Chen; Yu-Ting Huang; Keh-Chung Lin; Kuan-Lin Chen; Yung-Wen Hsu
Author Affiliations
  • Pei-Luen Tsai, PhD, OTR, is Lecturer, Department of Occupational Therapy, National Cheng Kung University, 1 University Road, East District, Tainan City 701 Taiwan; pltsai@mail.ncku.edu.tw
  • Mei-Ching Chen, MS, OTR, is Research Assistant, Department of Occupational Therapy, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan
  • Yu-Ting Huang, MMEd, is Associate Professor, Department of Music, Shih Chien University, Taipei, Taiwan
  • Keh-Chung Lin, ScD, OTR, is Professor and Chair, School of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, and Director, Division of Occupational Therapy, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei
  • Kuan-Lin Chen, PhD, OTR, is Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan
  • Yung-Wen Hsu, PhD, OTR, is Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan
Article Information
Complementary/Alternative Approaches / Neurologic Conditions / Stroke / Rehabilitation, Disability, and Participation
Research Article   |   May 2013
Listening to Classical Music Ameliorates Unilateral Neglect After Stroke
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, May/June 2013, Vol. 67, 328-335. doi:10.5014/ajot.2013.006312
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, May/June 2013, Vol. 67, 328-335. doi:10.5014/ajot.2013.006312
Abstract

OBJECTIVE. We determined whether listening to excerpts of classical music ameliorates unilateral neglect (UN) in stroke patients.

METHOD. In this within-subject study, we recruited and separately tested 16 UN patients with a right-hemisphere stroke under three conditions within 1 wk. In each condition, participants were asked to complete three subtests of the Behavioral Inattention Test while listening to classical music, white noise, or nothing. All conditions and the presentation of the tests were counterbalanced across participants. Visual analog scales were used to provide self-reported ratings of arousal and mood.

RESULTS. Participants generally had the highest scores under the classical music condition and the lowest scores under the silence condition. In addition, most participants rated their arousal as highest after listening to classical music.

CONCLUSION. Listening to classical music may improve visual attention in stroke patients with UN. Future research with larger study populations is necessary to validate these findings.