MUSic Therapy In Complex Specialist Neurorehabilitation
This study, called MUSic Therapy In Complex Specialist Neurorehabilitation, aims to understand if music therapy can improve recovery for patients after serious brain, spinal cord, or nerve injuries. These conditions include strokes, head injuries, and autoimmune diseases affecting the brain. Participants, aged 16 to 80, will receive either music therapy or a control therapy alongside their usual rehabilitation over about 10 weeks. Researchers will then compare how well people can do daily activities, their quality of life, and their overall well-being. The hope is to gather evidence that could help make music therapy a more standard part of rehabilitation for complex neurological conditions.
At a glance
What is this study about?
When someone experiences a serious injury to their brain, spinal cord, or nerves – perhaps from a stroke, a head injury, or a condition like meningitis – they often need specialist rehabilitation. This involves a team of healthcare professionals helping them recover, learn new ways to manage daily tasks, and improve their overall independence. It's a challenging time, and every bit of support makes a difference.
Music therapy has been suggested to help the brain heal and adapt, potentially speeding up recovery. However, it's not currently a standard part of rehabilitation in the UK because we don't yet have enough strong evidence to show its benefits. This study hopes to change that by investigating if adding music therapy to a patient's rehabilitation programme makes a noticeable difference to their recovery.
The goal is to see if people who receive music therapy, alongside their standard care, show better results in things like being able to dress themselves, move around, communicate, and generally feel better, compared to those who just receive standard care. If successful, the results could help ensure more patients have access to music therapy as part of their recovery journey.
Key takeaways
- Investigating if music therapy improves recovery after brain/spinal cord injury.
- Compares music therapy to usual care over 10 weeks.
- Measures improvements in daily activities, well-being, and quality of life.
- Aimed at patients aged 16-80 in specialist neurorehabilitation.
- Could help make music therapy a standard part of rehabilitation in the future.
Who may be eligible?
To join this study, you need to be at least 16 years old. You must have a recent neurological injury to your brain, spinal cord, or nerves that happened during your current hospital stay and requires specialist rehabilitation care. Also, you need to be able to understand the study and agree to take part. If you're not able to give your consent yourself, the medical team will talk with your family or other appropriate people to decide if it's in your best interest to participate.
There are also some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you're not medically stable, are too drowsy to participate in intensive therapy, or if you're expected to leave the hospital within 10 weeks. Also, if you've recently taken part in another research study that might affect the results of this one, you might not be eligible.
- Are you 16 years old or older?
- Have you recently had a brain, spinal cord, or nerve injury during this hospital stay?
- Do you require specialist rehabilitation care?
- Are you able to provide consent, or can a suitable person make decisions on your behalf?
This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.
What does participation involve?
If you decide to take part, you'll first have some assessments to understand your current abilities and well-being. Then, you'll be randomly placed into one of two groups: either you'll receive music therapy or another type of therapy sessions, in addition to your usual care. Both groups will have 1 to 3 extra therapy sessions per week, lasting about 10 weeks, for a total of 15 hours of extra therapy.
Throughout the study, information about your health, medications, and therapy schedule will be collected. After about 10 weeks, you'll have the same assessments repeated to see if there have been any changes. After this main part of the study, everyone will have the chance to access music therapy until they leave the rehabilitation unit.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- University College Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondon, United Kingdom· Recruiting
Common questions
What kind of music therapy will be used?
The study will use specialist music therapy tailored to neurological rehabilitation needs, delivered by trained music therapists.
What will the 'control therapy' involve?
The control therapy will be another type of therapy session, matched in duration and number, designed to be similar to usual care, but without the specific music therapy component.
How long will the study last for each person?
From the point you agree to join until you are discharged from the neurorehabilitation unit, which will typically include about 10 weeks of specific study interventions.
Will my regular rehabilitation be affected?
No, the study's extra therapy sessions are in addition to your usual rehabilitation program, which will continue as planned.
Who will see my personal information?
Your information will be kept confidential and anonymised using a special code. Only authorised research staff will have access to your study data.
How to find out more
Sara Ajina
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
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