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A music therapy can prove to be useful for people who have lost their power of speech due to stroke. In fact, IIT Delhi, AIIMS New Delhi and IHBAS have together developed the first Hindi Melodic Intonation Therapy (MIT) for the treatment of post-stroke aphasia (difficulty in speaking after stroke). Experts say that this is music based therapy and the help of tune and rhythm is taken in it. By doing this, an attempt is made to bring back the ability of those who have lost their ability to speak due to stroke.
Regaining the ability to speak can prove to be a miracle of sorts. This initiative can prove to be very effective in eliminating this problem. Know everything about it….
What does research say?
This research has been published in the international journal Affiology. In fact, many patients are unable to speak after stroke, but they understand language and can sing old songs. MIT uses this ability to increase the power of speaking. Till now this therapy was available in English and some western languages. For the first time, its validated version has been prepared for Hindi.
The researchers did not just translate the English words, but prepared the entire therapy according to the Hindi rhythm and way of speaking. Six Hindi speaking stroke patients were included in the pilot study. All patients were given 40 sessions. Each session was of 45 to 60 minutes. Clinically meaningful (clear and useful) improvement in speaking ability was seen in all 6 patients. Patients started speaking longer sentences than before, talking more easily and their quality of life also improved.
No risk of major side effects
No major side effects were observed during the treatment. Researchers said that this is still an initial study because only 6 patients were included in it. More studies are needed on a larger scale. The team also wants to develop digital tools in the future so that this therapy can reach more patients even outside the hospitals of big cities. This research was led by Prof. of IIT Delhi. N. M. Anoop Krishnan, Prof. Rahul Garg and Prof. of AIIMS. Deepti Vibha did it.
