AIIMS Integrates Music Therapy For Stroke Survivors Speech Recovery, Says Expert

Stroke remains a significant contributor to disability and mortality, ranking as the third most common cause of disability and the second most common cause of death globally. Neurologists at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences have identified aphasia, the loss of language function, as a prevalent issue affecting 21-38% of acute stroke patients due to brain damage. They emphasize the importance of timely and effective speech and language therapy for better outcomes. Research worldwide indicates that music therapy can improve verbal fluency, yet such adaptive strategies are relatively limited in India.

To address this gap, the Department of Neurology at AIIMS, New Delhi, in collaboration with IIT-New Delhi, is conducting a study to customize and adapt treatment strategies for stroke patients' recovery of speech and language functions. These services will be provided free of charge to patients as part of an ICMR-funded study.

Meanwhile, stroke, though highly preventable and treatable, poses a significant threat, potentially causing nearly 10 million deaths annually by 2050, particularly impacting low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

This projection stems from four studies published by the World Stroke Organization and the Lancet Neurology Commission, focusing on feasible recommendations to alleviate the global stroke burden. Released in the esteemed journal Lancet Neurology, the report forecasts a staggering rise in stroke-related deaths from 6.6 million in 2020 to 9.7 million by 2050. Moreover, it suggests that the percentage of stroke deaths in LMICs will increase from 86% to 91% by 2050.