Neuroplasticity and Music

What is Neuroplasticity?

Neuroplasticity is, simply put, our brain's ability to grow and change based on the information it is gathering. When we repeat a new task over and over, the neurons in our brain connect with each other to form neural pathways. These pathways are how information goes from our brain down through the rest of our nervous system.

Our brains operate on the principle of "use it or lose it." That being said, if we don't perform a task for a very long time, we may forget how to physically complete it. This also applies if someone suffers a traumatic brain injuryH, or if they develop a neurodegenerative disorder. However, the brain can re-wire itself in a way that can allow the person to recover and complete tasks post injury, with the help of rehabilitation.

The Roll of Music

Music engages all of the brain, but to different extents at different times depending on the type of musical engagement. Musical engagement refers to how someone interacts with the music around them, whether it be active listening or playing and singing along. As previously mentioned, repeating a task forms new neural pathways around ones that have been damaged.

This means that the way in which someone engages with music can strengthen areas of the brain that have been previously damaged. When music therapists work in this rehabilitative way, goal areas may include sensory-motor processing, cognitive, memory, and emotional functioning.

Example - RAS

Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS) is one of the Neurologic Music Therapy techniques. It is mainly used to improve motor control in people with neurodegenerative disorders (Parkinson's, ALS) or with traumatic brain injuries.

RAS, as all of the Neurologic Music Therapy techniques do, begins with an assessment. The client's gait is measured by a music therapist through velocity, cadence, and stride length. The music therapist is then able to use rhythm to cue the client when to take a step as they are walking a particular distance. The use of rhythm while a client is moving results in rhythmic entrainment. Rhythmic entrainment refers to "when one system's motion or signal frequency entrains the frequency of another system" (Thaut, 2015). This means that the rhythm the therapist plays is able to guide the client and allow them to move in time, even when they would be struggling to do so normally. As time and repetitions increase, the brain then will form new neural pathways due to neuroplasticity, therefore improving the client's gait.

Video example : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbDKHGg9upQ

Citations:

Forte, R., Tocci, N., & De Vito, G. (2021). The Impact of Exercise Intervention with Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation to Improve Gait and Mobility in Parkinson Disease: An Umbrella Review. Brain sciences, 11(6), 685.

Muriel T. Zaatar, Kenda Alhakim, Mohammad Enayeh, Ribal Tamer,The transformative power of music: Insights into neuroplasticity, health, and disease,Brain, Behavior, & Immunity - Health, Volume 35,2024,