Background
Restoration of upper limb motor function and patient functional independence are crucial treatment targets for neurologic recovery. Growing evidence indicates that music-based intervention is a promising therapeutic approach for the restoration of upper extremity functional abilities in neurologic conditions. In this context, music technology may be particularly useful to increase the availability and accessibility of music-based therapy and assist therapists in the implementation and assessment of targeted therapeutic goals. In the present study, we describe and evaluate a novel music-based therapeutic device (SONATA) for upper limb extremity movement training.
Methods
The device consists of a graphical user interface generated by a single-board computer displayed on a 32” touchscreen with build-in sound speakers controlled wirelessly by a computer tablet. The system includes two operational modes that allow users to play musical melodies on a virtual keyboard or draw figures/shapes whereby every action input results in controllable sensory feedback. Four functional tests were performed with 21 healthy individuals (12 males, age 26.4 ± 3.5 years) to evaluate the device’s operational modes and main features, such as presenting sequences of audiovisual stimuli at a pre-defined order (Tasks 1–3), displaying different shapes (Task 4), and collecting response and movement data (e.g., reaction time, correct/incorrect responses, and timing data).
Results
The results indicate feasibility and ease of use of the device, as shown by the participants’ performance accuracy in all tasks. The findings also demonstrate the reliability of the data acquired automatically by the system as we replicated the results of previous research showing a decrease in reaction time in sequences repeatedly presented in relation to random sequences, and that sequence length, rate and complexity affect accuracy of newly learned action sequences.
Conclusions
This device is a feasible tool for upper limb extremity movement training and opens new avenues for the the systematic evaluation of the benefits of music technologies in clinical research.