Effect of RAS on Balance and Gait After Stroke

A rhythmic auditory stimulation intervention may be beneficial in order to improve movement parameters after stroke. Reviews argue that more randomized controlled trials with a control group are needed. Main objective: Evaluate the effect of a rhythmic auditory stimulation on the quality of balance and gait parameters in people with stroke. Methodology: quasi-experimental study. The study has been approved by the hospital ethics committee.

A rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) intervention may be beneficial in order to improve the parameters of the post-stroke movement: increase of the speed of the walk, improvement in the width of the step with the affected side, improvement of the walking index dynamics (Dynamic Gait Index), improvement in cadence and improvement in the static balance. Current systematic reviews argue that more randomized controlled trials with a control group are needed. Main objective: To evaluate the effect of a rhythmic auditory stimulation on the quality of progress and balance in people with stroke. Methodology: experimental group will be done between 2019 and 2020 and historical control group of the years 2017 and 2018. Experimental group will do 3 sessions in a week of RAS, and daily 2 hours of physiotherapy except of Sundays. Control group received 2 hours daily of physiotherapy, except Sundays. The study has been approved by the hospital ethics committee.

2 hours from Monday to Saturday, conventional physiotherapy: strengthening, stretching, dual task training. 3 Times a week, intervention: Start with global body warming, 15 minutes, following the rhythm marked by the metronome. Central part of the session, 60 minutes, with rhythmic auditory stimulation exercises and music. Closure of the session, 15 minutes, round of impressions.

2 hours from Monday to Saturday, conventional physiotherapy: strengthening, stretching, dual task training.

Inclusion Criteria: Had a stroke in the last 3 weeks Rankin 3-4 Barthel before stroke: >85 Tinetti < 23 Exclusion Criteria: Patient can walk independently (Functional Ambulation Category >3) Global and/or mixed aphasia Glasgow < 10 Mini-Mental State Examination < 24 Posterior cerebral artery stroke Gait and/or balance disorders before stroke (parkinsons disease, neurodegenerative diseases)

Gonzalez-Hoelling S, Bertran-Noguer C, Reig-Garcia G, Suner-Soler R. Effects of a Music-Based Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation on Gait and Balance in Subacute Stroke. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Feb 19;18(4):2032. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18042032.