# The Use of Neurologic Music Therapy in Post-Stroke Aphasia Recovery: A Case Report on Linguistic Improvements and fMRI Correlates

## TL;DR

This case study shows that combining music therapy with speech therapy can significantly improve language skills and brain activity in a stroke patient with aphasia.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates that integrating Melodic Intonation Therapy and Therapeutic Singing with emotional music enhances post-stroke aphasia recovery.

## Key findings

- Spontaneous speech improved by 68.9%, auditory comprehension by 30.8%, and naming by 83.3%.
- fMRI showed increased brain activation in frontal, parietal, and temporal regions, plus limbic system involvement.
- The Aphasia Quotient improved from 39.3 to 61.4, indicating a shift from severe to moderate aphasia.

## Abstract

Background and Objectives: Post-stroke aphasia (PSA) severely limits communication and quality of life. This case study explores the impact of an integrated Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) approach, combining Melodic Intonation Therapy (MIT) and Therapeutic Singing (TS), on language recovery and brain reorganization in a 59-year-old woman with non-fluent motor aphasia following an ischemic stroke. Methods: Over 8 weeks, the patient underwent 24 sessions of MIT alongside standard speech therapy. Language abilities were assessed using the Western Aphasia Battery-Revised, while fMRI scans captured neurophysiological changes pre- and post-intervention. Results: The results showed significant language improvements: spontaneous speech increased by 68.9%, auditory comprehension by 30.8%, and naming by 83.3%. The Aphasia Quotient rose from 39.3 to 61.4, marking a shift from severe to moderate aphasia. Neuroimaging revealed heightened activation in both hemispheres, especially in the superior frontal and parietal regions, supplementary motor area, and superior temporal gyrus. Increased engagement of the limbic system, particularly the paracingulate gyrus, pointed to emotional involvement and widespread cortical reorganization. Conclusions: These findings highlight the effectiveness of integrating MIT and TS with emotionally meaningful music, supporting language recovery and neural plasticity in PSA.