Melbourne Conservatorium of Music - Theses

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The rehabilitative effects of piano-playing music therapy on unilateral and bilateral motor coordination of chronic stroke patients: a MIDI analysis

Moon, So-Young ( 2007)

This study examined the effects of piano-playing music therapy on the motor coordination of stroke patients using MIDI-based analysis to measure finger coordination. Within a modified controlled trial, twenty participants were assigned to either a music therapy treatment group or a control group. Half-hour individual music therapy sessions comprising various piano-playing techniques were conducted three days per week for four weeks, consisting of 12 sessions in total. Using the MIDI analysis, the participants’ finger movements were measured before and immediately after the interventions. A five-point scale assessment was also undertaken as a secondary outcome measurement. The results of performance comparison between the groups in pre and post-tests showed statistically significant improvements in timing consistency, velocity evenness, accuracy of key striking, and stability of synchronizing two-key striking. This indicates that piano-playing music therapy could be a viable intervention in rehabilitating motor coordination of chronic stroke patients.