Can Rhythm Change the Brain? Investigating the effect of a novel music-motor therapy app, GotRhythm, on motor control and corticospinal excitability in healthy and clinical populations

Abstract

Rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) is a form of music therapy that can improve motor outcomes in clinical populations, e.g., stroke and Parkinson’s Disease patients. The underlying mechanisms of RAS are currently unknown. I used a novel music- motor therapy app, GotRhythm, and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) to determine if a brief period of RAS training could increase corticospinal excitability (CSE) compared to a control motor task in healthy young and older adults, and stroke- survivors. The results demonstrated that combining GotRhythm training with a challenging task can increase CSE in healthy young adults, identifying a potential mechanism underpinning efficacy of RAS therapy