Using musical biofeedback system as a therapeutic tool for cognitive and motor dysfunctions in persons with MS (R-7243)

Background. Cognitive and motor dysfunctions are prevalent in PwMS, and they are symptoms that are treated separately. Exercise therapy and rehabilitation remain effective techniques to treat these symptoms, yet the dosage is a factor. Given the recent literature on effects of music-based interventions on adaptive brain functioning and applications in other pathologies as stroke and Parkinson, as well as the reward and predictability systems music engages (thus its potential in providing high dosage training), it is hypothesized that these approaches will be beneficial for persons with MS. Objectives. Overall, the project aims to investigate the clinical indications of a musical biofeedback system as a therapeutic tool in the rehabilitation of cognitive and/or motor dysfunctions in PwMS. That is to investigate if gait movement quality and fatigue perception improves during musical entrainment, and if cognitive functions in domains of attention, information processing speed, memory and executive function as well as motor functions such as dynamic balance can be improved by using musical syntaxing. Methods. The project will include a preparatory literature review on the instant effects of music already documented in literature, and will be followed by two experimental studies. These studies will explore the instant effects towards motoricity and cognition of PwMS when applying sensori-oriented and cognition oriented techniques (grouped as musical biofeedback system). Finally, these effects will be investigated within an interventional setting, in a randomised controlled trial design. Expected results. It is expected to find improved gait movement quality and improved dynamic balance with decreased perceived exertion during entrainment to music, and moreover, cognitive benefits in the domains mentioned above while learning and reproducing musical syntaxes. By the end of the project, we expect to develop a music-based biofeedback protocol for therapeutic application towards cognitive and motor dysfunctions in PwMS. Keywords. Musical biofeedback system, music entrainment, music syntax, cognitive function, motor function, multiple sclerosis

Keywords:Musculoskeletal research (human), Neuroplasticity (human)

Disciplines:Neurosciences, Orthopaedics, Biological and physiological psychology, Cognitive science and intelligent systems, Developmental psychology and ageing

Project type:Collaboration project