{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,4]],"date-time":"2026-09-04T17:25:10Z","timestamp":1788542710470,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":48,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,22]],"date-time":"2026-04-22T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1776816000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Neurol."],"abstract":"<jats:p>This review systematically examines the advances, mechanisms, and clinical applications of music therapy in neurorehabilitation. The article first delineates the conceptual origins of music therapy and the developmental trajectory of neurologic music therapy, introducing the major technical classifications including receptive methods, active methods, improvisational approaches, and vibroacoustic music therapy. The core section elaborates on the multidimensional mechanisms underlying music therapy in neurorehabilitation, encompassing neuroanatomical networks, neurotrans Melodic Intonation Therapy and endocrine systems, neuroplasticity, and psychobehavioral dimensions, elucidating the functional recovery pathways through auditory-motor integration, neural network reorganization, and neuroplasticity enhancement. Regarding clinical applications, the article comprehensively discusses the specific implementations and evidence-based efficacy of music therapy in the rehabilitation of stroke, Parkinson\u2019s disease, and cerebral palsy, including improvements in motor, speech, and cognitive impairments. Finally, the article summarizes current challenges and outlines future directions, aiming to provide theoretical foundations and practical references for the standardized and precision application of music therapy in neurorehabilitation.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3389\/fneur.2026.1821915","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,22]],"date-time":"2026-04-22T04:36:48Z","timestamp":1776832608000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":2,"title":["Advances in music therapy for neurological rehabilitation"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"17","author":[{"given":"Miao","family":"Yu","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Music, Changchun University","place":["Changchun, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Yuxuan","family":"Song","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University","place":["Tianjin, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Haochong","family":"Song","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Special Education, Beijing Union University","place":["Beijing, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Haoyang","family":"Duan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, First Hospital of Jilin University","place":["Changchun, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Guodong","family":"Zhang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, First Hospital of Jilin University","place":["Changchun, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,22]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1342545","DOI":"10.3389\/fneur.2024.1342545","article-title":"Efficacy of botulinum toxin a combined with extracorporeal shockwave therapy in poststroke spasticity: a systematic review","volume":"15","author":"Du","year":"2024","journal-title":"Front Neurol"},{"key":"ref2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"77","DOI":"10.1186\/s12984-024-01372-3","article-title":"Effect of task-oriented training assisted by force feedback hand rehabilitation robot on finger grasping function in stroke patients with hemiplegia: a randomised controlled trial","volume":"21","author":"Li","year":"2024","journal-title":"J Neuroeng Rehabil"},{"key":"ref3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"101728","DOI":"10.1016\/j.rehab.2022.101728","article-title":"Retropulsion with tilted postural vertical causing backward falls in an individual with Parkinson's disease: improvement by specific rehabilitation","volume":"66","author":"P\u00e9rennou","year":"2023","journal-title":"Ann Phys Rehabil Med"},{"key":"ref4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"672","DOI":"10.1080\/01942638.2025.2493118","article-title":"Interventions to promote bimanual activities and participation in daily life activities in children with cerebral palsy: a scoping review","volume":"45","author":"David","year":"2025","journal-title":"Phys Occup Ther Pediatr"},{"key":"ref5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1591872","DOI":"10.3389\/fneur.2025.1591872","article-title":"Research progress in pusher syndrome after stroke","volume":"16","author":"Wu","year":"2025","journal-title":"Front Neurol"},{"key":"ref6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1610016","DOI":"10.3389\/fneur.2025.1610016","article-title":"Advances in theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation for auditory comprehension deficits in post-stroke aphasia","volume":"16","author":"Jing","year":"2025","journal-title":"Front Neurol"},{"key":"ref7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"497","DOI":"10.3390\/brainsci12040497","article-title":"The feasibility and acceptability of in subacute neurorehabilitation and effects on patient mood","volume":"12","author":"Thompson","year":"2022","journal-title":"Brain Sci"},{"key":"ref8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"434","DOI":"10.1179\/1743132815Y.0000000034","article-title":"Music-supported therapy (MST) in improving post-stroke patients\u2019 upper-limb motor function: a randomized controlled pilot study","volume":"37","author":"Tong","year":"2015","journal-title":"Neurol Res"},{"key":"ref9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"12","DOI":"10.1093\/jmt\/thaa015","article-title":"Music improves social and participation outcomes for individuals with communication disorders: a systematic review","volume":"58","author":"Boster","year":"2021","journal-title":"J Music Ther"},{"key":"ref10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2187","DOI":"10.3390\/healthcare10112187","article-title":"Geriatric rehabilitation: a systematic review","volume":"10","author":"Rusowicz","year":"2022","journal-title":"Healthcare"},{"key":"ref11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e70000","DOI":"10.1002\/jnr.70000","article-title":"S impact on neurological disorders","volume":"102","author":"Wei","year":"2024","journal-title":"J Neurosci Res"},{"key":"ref12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1185","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2014.01185","article-title":"Neurobiological foundations of: rhythmic entrainment and the motor system","volume":"5","author":"Thaut","year":"2015","journal-title":"Front Psychol"},{"key":"ref13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"173","DOI":"10.1111\/nyas.14927","article-title":"Effects of melodic Intonation therapy in patients with chronic nonfluent aphasia","volume":"1519","author":"Marchina","year":"2023","journal-title":"Ann N Y Acad Sci"},{"key":"ref14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"937","DOI":"10.1177\/0269215521990526","article-title":"Effects of music-based movement therapy on motor function, balance, gait, mental health, and quality of life for patients with Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"35","author":"Zhou","year":"2021","journal-title":"Clin Rehabil"},{"key":"ref15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"789467","DOI":"10.3389\/fnhum.2021.789467","article-title":"Rhythm and music-based interventions in motor rehabilitation: current evidence and future perspectives","volume":"15","author":"Braun Janzen","year":"2021","journal-title":"Front Hum Neurosci"},{"key":"ref16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"506","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-017-16232-5","article-title":"Effect of rhythmic auditory cueing on parkinsonian gait: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"8","author":"Ghai","year":"2018","journal-title":"Sci Rep"},{"key":"ref17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"727","DOI":"10.2147\/PPA.S61340","article-title":"Effectiveness of music therapy: a summary of systematic reviews based on randomized controlled trials of music interventions","volume":"8","author":"Kamioka","year":"2014","journal-title":"Patient Prefer Adherence"},{"key":"ref18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"578","DOI":"10.1016\/j.tics.2005.10.001","article-title":"Towards a neural basis of music perception","volume":"9","author":"Koelsch","year":"2005","journal-title":"Trends Cogn Sci"},{"key":"ref19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"125","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ctcp.2015.04.004","article-title":"Development and efficacy of music therapy techniques within palliative care","volume":"23","author":"Clements-Cort\u00e9s","year":"2016","journal-title":"Complement Ther Clin Pract"},{"key":"ref20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"20","DOI":"10.47513\/mmd.v13i1.754","article-title":"Psychotherapeutically oriented vibroacoustic therapy for functional neurological disorder: a pilot study","volume":"13","author":"Leandertz","year":"2021","journal-title":"Music Med"},{"key":"ref21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"489","DOI":"10.1525\/MP.2009.26.5.489","article-title":"Being together in time:musical experience and the mirror neuron system","volume":"26","author":"Overy","year":"2009","journal-title":"Music Percept"},{"key":"ref22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"69","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijpsycho.2007.03.004","article-title":"Metabolicand electric brain patterns during pleasant and unpleasant emotions induced by music masterpieces","volume":"65","author":"Flores-Guti\u00e9rrez","year":"2007","journal-title":"Int J Psychophysiol"},{"key":"ref23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"266","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1749-6632.2011.06405.x","article-title":"Music listening after stroke:beneficial effects and potential neural mechanisms","volume":"1252","author":"S\u00e4rk\u00e4m\u00f6","year":"2012","journal-title":"Ann N Y Acad Sci"},{"key":"ref24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"99","DOI":"10.1111\/nyas.14241","article-title":"Musical anhedonia and rewards of music listening:current advances and a proposed model","volume":"1464","author":"Belfi","year":"2020","journal-title":"Ann N Y Acad Sci"},{"key":"ref25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"107","DOI":"10.1093\/mtp\/mix007","article-title":"The neuroscience of speech and language","volume":"35","author":"Stegemller","year":"2017","journal-title":"Music Ther Perspect"},{"key":"ref26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"170","DOI":"10.1038\/nrn3666","article-title":"Brain correlates of music-evoked emotions","volume":"15","author":"Koelsch","year":"2014","journal-title":"Nat Rev Neurosci"},{"key":"ref27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"185","DOI":"10.3389\/fneur.2015.00185","article-title":"Music therapy interventions in Parkinson's disease:the state-of-the-art","volume":"6","author":"Raglio","year":"2015","journal-title":"Front Neurol"},{"key":"ref28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1769598","DOI":"10.3389\/fneur.2026.1769598","article-title":"Progress in the application of virtual reality technology in the rehabilitation of patients with pusher syndrome after stroke","volume":"17","author":"Hao","year":"2026","journal-title":"Front Neurol"},{"key":"ref29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"480","DOI":"10.3389\/fnhum.2015.00480","article-title":"Home-based for upper limb rehabilitation with stroke patients at community rehabilitation stage\u2014a feasibility study protocol","volume":"9","author":"Street","year":"2015","journal-title":"Front Hum Neurosci"},{"key":"ref30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"585","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neubiorev.2020.02.027","article-title":"Potential benefits of music playing in stroke upper limb motor rehabilitation","volume":"112","author":"Grau-S\u00e1nchez","year":"2020","journal-title":"Neurosci Biobehav Rev"},{"key":"ref31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"105544","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2020.105544","article-title":"Effect of rhythm of music therapy on gait in patients with stroke","volume":"30","author":"Wang","year":"2021","journal-title":"J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis"},{"key":"ref32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2032","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph18042032","article-title":"Effects of a music-based rhythmic auditory stimulation on gait and balance in subacute stroke","volume":"18","author":"Gonzalez-Hoelling","year":"2021","journal-title":"Int J Environ Res Public Health"},{"key":"ref33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"38521","DOI":"10.1038\/srep38521","article-title":"Improvement in stroke-induced motor dysfunction by music-supported therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"6","author":"Zhang","year":"2016","journal-title":"Sci Rep"},{"key":"ref34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"648724","DOI":"10.3389\/fnins.2021.648724","article-title":"Effectiveness of melodic intonation therapy in Chinese mandarin on non-fluent aphasia in patients after stroke:a randomized control tria","volume":"15","author":"Zhang","year":"2021","journal-title":"Front Neurosci"},{"key":"ref35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"536","DOI":"10.1177\/1545968313517753","article-title":"The efficacy and timing of melodic intonation therapy in subacute aphasia","volume":"28","author":"vanderMeulen","year":"2014","journal-title":"Neurorehabil Neural Repair"},{"key":"ref36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"349","DOI":"10.1111\/nyas.13618","article-title":"Participants' experiences of music, mindful music, and audiobook listening interventions for people recovering from stroke","volume":"1423","author":"Baylan","year":"2018","journal-title":"Ann N Y Acad Sci"},{"key":"ref37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"866","DOI":"10.1093\/brain\/awn013","article-title":"Music listening enhances cognitive recovery and mood after middle cerebral artery stroke","volume":"131","author":"S\u00e4rk\u00e4m\u00f6","year":"2008","journal-title":"Brain"},{"key":"ref38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"893","DOI":"10.1007\/s10072-017-2827-7","article-title":"Active music therapy approach for stroke patients in the post-acute rehabilitation","volume":"38","author":"Raglio","year":"2017","journal-title":"Neurol Sci"},{"key":"ref39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"8","DOI":"10.1038\/s41531-018-0043-7","article-title":"Rhythmic abilities and musical training in Parkinson\u2019s disease: do they help?","volume":"4","author":"Cochen","year":"2018","journal-title":"NPJ Park Dis"},{"key":"ref40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"68","DOI":"10.1186\/s12984-019-0533-9","article-title":"Walking to your right music: a randomized controlled trial on the novel use of treadmill plus music in Parkinson\u2019s disease","volume":"16","author":"Calabr\u00f2","year":"2019","journal-title":"J Neuroeng Rehabil"},{"key":"ref41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"34","DOI":"10.1177\/0269215518788615","article-title":"Rhythmic auditory stimulation for reduction of falls in Parkinson's disease:a randomized controlled study","volume":"33","author":"Thaut","year":"2019","journal-title":"Clin Rehabil"},{"key":"ref42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"494","DOI":"10.3389\/fnhum.2014.00494","article-title":"Musically cued gait-training improves both perceptual and motor timing in Parkinson's disease","volume":"8","author":"Benoit","year":"2014","journal-title":"Front Hum Neurosci"},{"key":"ref43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"82","DOI":"10.1177\/1545968319893303","article-title":"The effects of music-contingent gait training on cognition and mood in Parkinson disease: a feasibility study","volume":"34","author":"Burt","year":"2020","journal-title":"Neurorehabil Neural Repair"},{"key":"ref44","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"198","DOI":"10.1093\/jmt\/44.3.198","article-title":"Effect of rhythmic auditory stimulation on gait performance in children with spastic cerebral palsy","volume":"44","author":"Kwak","year":"2007","journal-title":"J Music Ther"},{"key":"ref45","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1347","DOI":"10.3233\/JAD-180183","article-title":"The effects of music therapy on cognition, psychiatric symptoms, and activities of daily living in patients with Alzheimer's disease","volume":"64","author":"Lyu","year":"2018","journal-title":"J Alzheimer's Dis"},{"key":"ref46","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"279","DOI":"10.3389\/fmed.2018.00279","article-title":"The effects of music therapy-singing group on quality of life and affect of persons with dementia:a randomized controlled trial","volume":"5","author":"Cho","year":"2018","journal-title":"Front Med (Lausanne)"},{"key":"ref47","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"238","DOI":"10.1016\/j.eplepsyres.2010.01.007","article-title":"Mozart K.448 and epileptiform discharges: effect of ratio of lower to higher harmonics","volume":"89","author":"Lin","year":"2010","journal-title":"Epilepsy Res"},{"key":"ref48","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"420","DOI":"10.1007\/s11910-013-0420-x","article-title":"The effects of Mozart\u2032s music on interictal activity in epileptic patients: systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature","volume":"14","author":"Dastgheib","year":"2014","journal-title":"Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep"}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Neurology"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fneur.2026.1821915\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,22]],"date-time":"2026-04-22T04:36:50Z","timestamp":1776832610000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fneur.2026.1821915\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,22]]},"references-count":48,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fneur.2026.1821915"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fneur.2026.1821915","relation":{},"ISSN":["1664-2295"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1664-2295","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,22]]},"article-number":"1821915"}}