Sustained Effect Of Neurocreative Music Therapy On Upper Limb Abilities, Spasticity, Selective Control And Quality Of Life In Cerebral Palsy: A Case Report

Abstract This case report, presents the sustained effect of Neurocreative Music Therapy (NCMT) which a uniqe music therapy approach on the upper limb in an individual with cerebral palsy (CP). Our case is a 19-year-old individual with hemiparetic CP and she was included in the 8-week NCMT application program. Before the application, a phenomenological interview was conducted in accordance with the principle of the NCMT approach, which prioritizes the needs and pleasures of the individual. Before and immediately after the 8-week NCMT application, the patient's spasticity was assessed with the Modified Ashwort Scale, selective motor control with the Selective Control of the Upper Extremity Scale, upper limb abilities in daily activities with the ABILHAND-Kids, and quality of life with the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory CP Module 3.0. As a result of the assessments, an individual-specific music therapy program was planned and implemented. The outcome measurements made immediately after the NCMT application were repeated in the 4th and 8th weeks following the end of the application. According to the results of the scales, it was observed that spasticity decreased, selective motor control increased, upper limb abilities improved, and quality of life increased. The obtained improvements were generally maintained in the 4th week following the end of the therapy. It was observed that there was a decrease in the sustainability of the effect in the 8th week following the end of the therapy in other measurement parameters other than quality of life. As a result, we concluded that NCMT is an effective approach in the rehabilitation of individuals with CP and that its effects may be transferred to the post-rehabilitation period.