Music in the Treatment of Neurological Language and Speech Disorders: A Systematic Review

Summary of Systematic Review

Music in the Treatment of Neurological Language and Speech Disorders: A Systematic Review
Hurkmans, J., de Bruijn, M., et al. (2012).
Aphasiology, 26(1), 1-19.

This review meets the criteria for a high-quality evidence-based systematic review.

Indicators of Review Quality:

The review states a clearly focused question or aim	No
Criteria for inclusion of studies are provided	Yes
Search strategy is described in sufficient detail for replication	Yes
Included studies are assessed for study quality	Yes
Quality assessments are reproducible	Yes
Characteristics of the included studies are provided	Yes

Description:
This is a review of published research studies investigating the effectiveness of Speech-Music Therapy for Aphasia (SMTA), a combination of speech-language pathology and music therapy to treat individuals with aphasia.

Question(s)/Aim(s) Addressed:
Question not specifically stated.

Population:
Individuals with neurological speech and language disorders.

Intervention/Assessment:
Interventions included melodic intonation therapy and modified melodic intonation therapy.

Number of Studies Included:
15

Years Included:
Up to 2009

Conclusions:

Aphasia

Treatment

Language

Melodic Intonation Therapy

All studies reported positive results from treatment; the majority of which (9/15) investigated the use of melodic intonation therapy (MIT) or modified-MIT. However, treatment outcomes varied across studies and methodological quality of studies was considered low.
The authors suggest that "no conclusions can yet be drawn with regard to the effect of the use of musical elements in the treatment of individuals with acquired neurological disorders" (p. 16). Further research is warranted.

Sponsoring Body:
Not stated.

Keywords: Aphasia, Apraxia, Stroke, Melodic Intonation Therapy

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