Proposal of Music Therapy Protocol for Ataxic Patients

Abstract

Neurologic music therapy has been studied as an alternative methodology to stimulate neurological patients in a motor rehabilitation process. It uses music and its elements in a feedback-feedforward system, promoting an environment for neuroplasticity and re-learning of movements. Research to evaluate the use of neurologic music therapy in patients with ataxia due to Parkinson's and Stroke diseases has shown positive impacts on function rehabilitation, resulting in improvements in activities of daily living and life quality self-perception. The main goals for patients with ataxia described in available research are related to the positive impact on gait function, limb movements, speech, and postural impairment. The most commonly used techniques in neurologic music therapy research are Therapeutical Instrumental Music Performance (TIMP) and Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS). Literature indicates that both techniques are typically studied independently. Research on the application of neurologic music therapy to ataxic patients, whether due to genetic factors or acquired cerebellar damage, as well as protocols to assist music therapists in implementing these methodologies, are not available. The objective of this study is to propose a music therapy protocol for patients with ataxia from any disease or acquired, using neurologic music therapy and its techniques (TIMP and RAS), to measure the contribution in reducing impacts of ataxia in motor functions, improving patients’ autonomy in daily living activities and as a consequence higher life quality self-perception, also contributing to increasing literature availability regarding this theme. For protocol application feasibility and considering ataxia prevalence in the total population, an experimental group of 15 patients diagnosed with ataxia without impairment on auditory systems will be designed.