From Neurocognitive Frameworks to Clinical Practice: How Music and Rhythm Are Utilized by Speech-Language Pathologists

PURPOSE: Music- and rhythm-based interventions in the field of speech-language pathology are not new, and there has been an increase in neuroscientific studies seeking mechanistic accounts of their effects. However, the way speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are integrating the evolving research into real-world clinical practice remains elusive. This study aims to provide an overview of the situation and to identify factors that might be associated with the use of these methods. METHOD: Data were collected from SLPs in French-speaking countries via an online survey. They were analyzed using descriptive and associative statistical methods. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-five valid responses were analyzed. Despite not having enough clinical training in music- and rhythm-based methods, SLPs reported using music and rhythm to treat various disorders. When doing so, the primary goal was symptom-specific improvement, and the choice of method was largely dependent on the patient's clinical diagnosis. Improving clinical training, enhancing evidence-based knowledge through engagement with the scientific literature, and fostering personal engagement with music were found to be crucial factors in improving the integration of rhythm and music into clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS: Future studies should focus on identifying more effective ways to translate theoretical insights from scientific research into practical clinical tools for music- and rhythm-based interventions. Moreover, critical gaps in research must be addressed, including evaluating the effectiveness of these interventions, understanding the mechanisms underlying their potential benefits, and exploring how SLPs assess their efficiency in everyday practice. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.31839274.