# Optimizing Music-Based Interventions for Stroke Rehabilitation

> **NIH NIH F31** · NEW YORK UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $33,024

## Abstract

Project Summary: This study will address the need for motivational strategies to achieve therapeutic levels of
task-repetition in upper extremity rehabilitation post-stroke. To this end, we are investigating optimal strategies
for utilizing music to increase motor activity, improve affect and increase functional activity in brain areas
related to motor recovery post-stroke. While most empirical studies of music-based interventions utilize fixed
music-playing tasks in which participants play a specified music sequence, the clinical practice of music
therapy involves improvisation, allowing the music to be adjusted in the moment to reflect the emotional, social
and physical needs of participants. We have therefore designed a study to characterize the effect of
improvisation within music-based interventions for upper extremity rehabilitation. In Aim 1 we will characterize
the motor, affective and physiological correlates of music improvisation for adults with post-stroke hemiparesis.
We hypothesize that the increased improvisation will be associated with increased motor activity (measured by
accelerometry) and increased affect (measured by self-report surveys following each condition and
physiological arousal). In Aim 2 we will assess the neural mechanisms of music improvisation by using fMRI.
We hypothesize that increased affect and motor output will be supported by increased functional connectivity
between core reward, motivation and emotion-related subcortical regions and cortical motor and frontal areas.
These findings will lay the foundation for optimal musi-based interventions that capitalize on improvisation to
maximize motor recovery and minimize attrition rate.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10806968
- **Project number:** 5F31NS127527-02
- **Recipient organization:** NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Anna M Palumbo
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $33,024
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-12-01 → 2024-10-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10806968

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10806968, Optimizing Music-Based Interventions for Stroke Rehabilitation (5F31NS127527-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-08 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10806968. Licensed CC0.

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