This pilot study aimed to examine the immediate effects of theta (4Hz) frequency BBS combined with music on prefrontal cortex activity and heart rate variability in patients with chronic stroke.
We recruited twelve chronic stroke patients from community by convenience sampling. Each subject received "Musical Moonlight Sonata Part 1", "4Hz frequency BBS" and " Musical Moonlight Sonata Part 1 combined with 4Hz BBS" interventions in a random order within 3-hour experimental period. Each intervention lasted for 20 minutes with 30-minute rest intervals between the interventions. An 8-channel wearable dry electrode electroencephalography system and electrocardiogram physiological signal instrument were used to assess prefrontal cortex activity and heart rate variability before and after each intervention.
Significant differences in prefrontal cortical activity were found among the three interventions (F＝3.45, p＝0.04). Compared to “the 4Hz BBS” intervention, “Musical Moonlight Sonata Part 1” intervention had significant alpha power increase in the affected prefrontal cortex. However, no significant differences on the heart rate variability were found among the three interventions.
Preliminary findings indicate that a 20-min intervention with the Moonlight Sonata music had the immediate effects on the frontal cortex activity. However, this pilot study did not support 4Hz BBS intervention has an immediate effect on the prefrontal cortex activity and heart rate variability in patients with chronic stroke. Further research recruited more sample size is warranted to verify the effects among different frequencies BBS.
The result may provide the reference for physical therapists to select the auditory stimulus intervention.
prefrontal cortex activity
stroke
