ABSTRACT NUMBER: ESOC2026LB179 MUSIC MOVES - TESTING A NEW APPROACH FOR TAILORED MUSIC-ASSISTED THERAPY IN PHYSIOTHERAPEUTIC STROKE REHABILITATION

Abstract Background and aims Stroke survivors impact the Dutch healthcare system especially physiotherapy. Patients and physiotherapists long for increasing self-reliance and exercise variation and see the potential in an innovative music-assisted intervention relieving the current and still increasing pressure. However, knowledge on combining music and physiotherapy in stroke patients into an intervention achieving this is lacking. The aim of the pilot study was to explore improving stroke rehabilitation through music in daily out of clinic physiotherapy using the Music Moves treatment protocol and recently developed ‘Walk the BPM approach’. Methods In a pilot study, a music-based treatment for chronic stroke patients (n=9) was co-created by physiotherapists and patients and tested for effects on walking skills, motivation, and fear of falling. In local physiotherapy practices, patients’ walking speed was matched to the correct Beats Per Minute (BPM) using our 'Walk the BPM' protocol over a six-week period. The music genre was tailored to patients’ preferences to enhance motivation and walking abilities. Quantitative and qualitative data from patients and physiotherapists provided a comprehensive perspective on the intervention. Results The first results show no significant changes on walking speed, fear of falling and quality of life in our quantitative data. However, our qualitative data showed 8 out of 9 participants enjoyed the tailored music addition and perceived improved walking abilities. Conclusions Music-assisted interventions can potentially be a valuable asset to the physiotherapeutic daily practice improving perceived walking abilities and hence patients’ self-reliance. A larger follow-up study has been designed for further research. Conflict of interest