Singing has been shown to support speech recovery in stroke patients. Singing has been shown to support speech recovery in stroke patients :: LabOnline

A stroke is caused by a loss of blood flow to the brain. It is a critical condition that requires immediate treatment, and even with full recovery, patients can experience a sudden loss of muscle control, cognition, and emotional regulation and control. Now, a new study from the University of Helsinki has opened up a new opportunity for speech therapists and students like those in Ithaca College’s online speech therapist program to help stroke patients whose speech function is declining.

The Helsinki Study

On May 16, 2024, the University of Helsinki published a study on the treatment of speech disorders in people who had suffered a stroke that resulted in aphasia.

Aphasia is a neurological disorder in which the brain’s ability to produce and recognize language is damaged, resulting in disrupted speech patterns, slurred speech, inability to remember certain words, and more. Aphasia manifests itself in various forms and has multiple causes; however, stroke is one of the most common causes of this disorder. About 20-40% of stroke patients develop aphasia as a result. The disorder is treatable, and even in permanent cases, the symptoms of aphasia can be effectively managed with ongoing speech therapy.

The study conducted by the University of Helsinki has uncovered a potentially extremely effective treatment method for stroke patients with aphasia: singing.

Singing against strokes

Music has long been used to help people heal from physical and emotional trauma. The study found that sung music has the ability to repair the neurological structures damaged during a stroke, leading to aphasia in patients.

The network of structures in the brain that controls language comprehension and production can be severely damaged by the lack of oxygen to the brain that results from a stroke. The study showed that regular singing increased gray matter in brain regions associated with language and that connections in the left hemisphere language network were strengthened after regular singing.

Image credit: iStock.com/Vitalii Stamat

The significance of the results

Groundbreaking research from the University of Helsinki presents an innovative and accessible approach to aphasia treatment for stroke patients through singing. This study highlights the therapeutic potential of music in neurological recovery and shows that regular singing can significantly repair and strengthen nerve structures damaged by stroke.

Importantly, this method is a cost-effective alternative to traditional therapies, which can be a financial burden for many patients. Because singing is an integrative form of treatment, people from all backgrounds can benefit from it, regardless of their musical ability or experience.

If this promising technique becomes more widely adopted and integrated into rehabilitation programs, it could dramatically improve the communication skills and overall quality of life of those affected by aphasia. Ultimately, this research offers hope and a new path to recovery by enabling stroke survivors to regain their language skills and independence through the joy of music.

Image credit above: iStock.com/Halfpoint