Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation after stroke

The purpose was to evaluate the effect of rhythmic auditory stimulation in combination with conventional physiotherapy on gait parameters and walking ability in subacute stroke. Database is in Catalan language. Persons from year 2018 (n=27) were assigned as historical control group, and in year 2019 persons (n=28) received rhythmical auditory stimulation three times a week. Primary outcomes were gait parameters (Tinetti test and Timed Up&Go test), and walking ability (Functional Ambulation Category scale). Secondary outcomes were trunk control, assistive devices, functional independence (Functional Independence Measure, Barthel index), and stroke severity and disability (modified Rankin scale, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale). Outcomes were measured at hospitals admissions and at discharge.
Results: Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were comparable between the two groups. No between-group differences were identified for gait parameters nor for secondary outcomes. Significant between-group differences were observed in walking ability with the Functional Ambulation Category.