{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,16]],"date-time":"2026-09-16T15:10:10Z","timestamp":1789571410224,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":56,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,5]],"date-time":"2025-02-05T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1738713600000},"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. Psychol."],"abstract":"<jats:sec><jats:title>Background<\/jats:title><jats:p>The use of digital technology in music-based interventions for individuals with brain injuries has gained traction, especially post COVID-19, in addressing the need for effective, long-term rehabilitation. This scoping review examines the landscape of digital music-based interventions, focusing on their application in motor and cognitive rehabilitation for patients with brain injuries.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title><jats:p>We conducted a literature search using five academic databases: PubMed, CINAHL, Medline, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. Twenty-six studies met the predefined criteria for inclusion in this review, and these studies were analyzed including digital interventions used.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results<\/jats:title><jats:p>Twenty-six of 1994 studies were included. Results demonstrated a clear evolution in intervention methodologies, with earlier research focusing on rhythmic and MIDI-based tools, while more recent studies integrated virtual reality, augmented reality, and adaptive feedback mechanisms. The findings showed significant improvements in motor functions, such as upper limb movement and gait, in most of the reviewed studies, as well as some cognitive benefits, particularly when personalized music interventions were applied. However, challenges were noted regarding device complexity, cost, and inconsistent assessment methods across studies.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Discussion<\/jats:title><jats:p>Digital music-based interventions show substantial promise in enhancing motor and cognitive function for individuals with neurological impairments. Nevertheless, barriers such as technological accessibility, the need for patient comfort, and a lack of standardization in assessment remain. Future research should focus on simplifying interfaces, standardizing protocols, and exploring hybrid interventions that combine immersive virtual reality with the adaptability of music therapy to create holistic, patient-centered rehabilitation solutions.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2025.1532925","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,5]],"date-time":"2025-02-05T18:24:11Z","timestamp":1738779851000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":5,"title":["Music-based interventions using digital technology for individuals with acquired brain injuries: a scoping review"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"16","author":[{"given":"Huiyuan","family":"Yu","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Xin","family":"Lu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Soo Ji","family":"Kim","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,5]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"407","DOI":"10.1016\/B978-0-12-817422-7.00016-X","article-title":"The impact of music interventions on motor rehabilitation following stroke in elderly","volume-title":"Music and the aging brain","author":"Altenm\u00fcller","year":"2020"},{"key":"ref2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"19","DOI":"10.1080\/1364557032000119616","article-title":"Scoping studies: towards a methodological framework","volume":"8","author":"Arksey","year":"2005","journal-title":"Int. J. Soc. Res. Methodol."},{"key":"ref4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1322","DOI":"10.1080\/02699052.2020.1802779","article-title":"Virtual reality gaming as a neurorehabilitation tool for brain injuries in adults: a systematic review","volume":"34","author":"Aulisio","year":"2020","journal-title":"Brain Inj."},{"key":"ref5","first-page":"155","article-title":"Emergency department visits for mild traumatic brain injury: associations with geriatric age, sex, and fall injury","volume":"53","author":"Barrett","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Allied Health"},{"key":"ref7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2","DOI":"10.1046\/j.1528-1157.44.s10.3.x","article-title":"The epidemiology of traumatic brain injury: a review","volume":"44","author":"Burns","year":"2003","journal-title":"Epilepsia"},{"key":"ref8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1155\/2019\/5232374","article-title":"Finding the intersection of neuroplasticity, stroke recovery, and learning: scope and contributions to stroke rehabilitation","volume":"2019","author":"Carey","year":"2019","journal-title":"Neural Plast."},{"key":"ref9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"681","DOI":"10.3233\/NRE-141182","article-title":"Intensive gait training with rhythmic auditory stimulation in individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke: a pilot randomized controlled study","volume":"35","author":"Cha","year":"2014","journal-title":"Neuro Rehab."},{"key":"ref10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1186\/1471-2318-13-97","article-title":"Older adults with acquired brain injury: a population based study","volume":"13","author":"Chan","year":"2013","journal-title":"BMC Geriatr."},{"key":"ref11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"372","DOI":"10.1002\/jsid.787","article-title":"EEG analysis of mixed-reality music rehabilitation system for post-stroke lower limb therapy","volume":"27","author":"Chang","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Soc. Info. Disp."},{"key":"ref12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"147","DOI":"10.3233\/NRE-131026","article-title":"Hand rehabilitation using MIDI keyboard playing in adolescents with brain damage: a preliminary study","volume":"34","author":"Chong","year":"2014","journal-title":"Neurorehabilitation"},{"key":"ref13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1371","DOI":"10.3390\/healthcare12141371","article-title":"Factors associated with device, internet, and videoconferencing use amongst individuals with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury","volume":"12","author":"Chuah","year":"2024","journal-title":"Healthcare"},{"key":"ref14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"255","DOI":"10.1177\/15459683231174223","article-title":"Autonomous control of music to retrain walking after stroke","volume":"37","author":"Collimore","year":"2023","journal-title":"Neurorehabilit. Neural Repair."},{"key":"ref15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"230","DOI":"10.1177\/1054773819846024","article-title":"An evidence-based checklist for improving scoping review quality","volume":"30","author":"Cooper","year":"2021","journal-title":"Clin. Nurs. Res."},{"key":"ref16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1927","DOI":"10.11124\/JBIES-21-00241","article-title":"Technologies used to facilitate remote rehabilitation of adults with deconditioning, musculoskeletal conditions, stroke, or traumatic brain injury: an umbrella review","volume":"20","author":"Edwards","year":"2022","journal-title":"JBI Evid. Synth."},{"key":"ref17","first-page":"2359","article-title":"MusicGlove: motivating and quantifying hand movement rehabilitation by using functional grips to play music","author":"Friedman","year":"2011"},{"key":"ref18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"9240","DOI":"10.1523\/JNEUROSCI.23-27-09240.2003","article-title":"Brain structures differ between musicians and non-musicians","volume":"23","author":"Gaser","year":"2003","journal-title":"J. Neurosci."},{"key":"ref19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"13228","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-017-13153-1","article-title":"Visuo-acoustic stimulation that helps you to relax: a virtual reality setup for patients in the intensive care unit","volume":"7","author":"Gerber","year":"2017","journal-title":"Sci. Rep."},{"key":"ref20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2167","DOI":"10.3390\/biomedicines10092167","article-title":"Understanding acquired brain injury: a review","volume":"10","author":"Goldman","year":"2022","journal-title":"Biomedicines"},{"key":"ref21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"26331055221100587","DOI":"10.1177\/26331055221100587","article-title":"A tailored music-motor therapy and real-time biofeedback mobile phone app ('GotRhythm') to promote rehabilitation following stroke: a pilot study","volume":"17","author":"Hankinson","year":"2022","journal-title":"Neurosci. Insights"},{"key":"ref22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1242","DOI":"10.3390\/app12031242","article-title":"From patient to musician: a multi-sensory virtual reality rehabilitation tool for spatial neglect","volume":"12","author":"Heyse","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Appl. Sci."},{"key":"ref23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"647993","DOI":"10.3389\/frvir.2021.647993","article-title":"System immersion in virtual reality-based rehabilitation of motor function in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"2","author":"H\u00f8eg","year":"2021","journal-title":"Front. Virtual Real."},{"key":"ref24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"100277","DOI":"10.1016\/j.prdoa.2024.100277","article-title":"Coupling neurologic music therapy with immersive virtual reality to improve executive functions in individuals with Parkinson\u2019s disease: a quasi-randomized clinical trial","volume":"11","author":"Impellizzeri","year":"2024","journal-title":"Clin. Park. Relat. Disord."},{"key":"ref26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"220","DOI":"10.1109\/THMS.2021.3137013","article-title":"A technical framework for musical biofeedback in stroke rehabilitation","volume":"52","author":"Kantan","year":"2022","journal-title":"IEEE Trans. Hum. Mach. Syst."},{"key":"ref27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"23","DOI":"10.1186\/s42234-024-00150-9","article-title":"Virtual reality in stroke recovery: a meta-review of systematic reviews","volume":"10","author":"Khan","year":"2024","journal-title":"Bioelectron. Med."},{"key":"ref28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3369","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm9103369","article-title":"Clinical application of virtual reality for upper limb motor rehabilitation in stroke: review of technologies and clinical evidence","volume":"9","author":"Kim","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Clin. Med."},{"key":"ref29","first-page":"1781","article-title":"Motivating stroke rehabilitation through music: a feasibility study using digital musical instruments in the home","author":"Kirk","year":"2016"},{"key":"ref30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"36","DOI":"10.1093\/jmt\/thac014","article-title":"Evaluating note frequency and velocity during improvised active music therapy in clients with Parkinson\u2019s disease","volume":"60","author":"Kogutek","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Music. Ther."},{"key":"ref31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"27","DOI":"10.48550\/arXiv2305.14364","article-title":"Toward personalized music therapy: a neurocomputational modeling perspective","volume":"22","author":"Lai-Tan","year":"2023","journal-title":"IEEE Pervasive Computing"},{"key":"ref32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"69","DOI":"10.1186\/1748-5908-5-69","article-title":"Scoping studies: advancing the methodology","volume":"5","author":"Levac","year":"2010","journal-title":"Implement. Sci."},{"key":"ref33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"989810","DOI":"10.3389\/fresc.2022.989810","article-title":"Music-based intervention drives paretic limb acceleration into intentional movement frequencies in chronic stroke rehabilitation","volume":"3","author":"Loria","year":"2022","journal-title":"Front. Rehabil. Sci."},{"key":"ref34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"124","DOI":"10.1080\/08098130809478204","article-title":"An exploratory study of the use of electronic music technologies in clinical music therapy","volume":"17","author":"Magee","year":"2008","journal-title":"Nord. J. Music. Ther."},{"key":"ref35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"376","DOI":"10.1016\/S2468-2667(16)30017-2","article-title":"Epidemiology of traumatic brain injuries in Europe: a cross-sectional analysis","volume":"1","author":"Majdan","year":"2016","journal-title":"Lancet Public Health"},{"key":"ref37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"17073","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-022-21575-9","article-title":"Investigating the role of auditory and visual sensory inputs for inducing relaxation during virtual reality stimulation","volume":"12","author":"Naef","year":"2022","journal-title":"Sci. Rep."},{"key":"ref38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1378","DOI":"10.3389\/fnins.2019.01378","article-title":"Sonification of arm movements in stroke rehabilitation: a novel approach in neurologic music therapy","volume":"13","author":"Nikmaram","year":"2019","journal-title":"Front. Neurosci."},{"key":"ref39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"399","DOI":"10.1080\/08098131.2018.1490919","article-title":"Digital instruments and their uses in music therapy","volume":"27","author":"Partesotti","year":"2018","journal-title":"Nord. J. Music. Ther."},{"key":"ref40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"6285","DOI":"10.3390\/app14146285","article-title":"A comprehensive review of virtual reality technology for cognitive rehabilitation in patients with neurological conditions","volume":"14","author":"Quan","year":"2024","journal-title":"Appl. Sci."},{"key":"ref41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"37","DOI":"10.1016\/bs.pbr.2014.11.020","article-title":"Musicians and music making as a model for the study of brain plasticity","volume":"217","author":"Schlaug","year":"2015","journal-title":"Prog. Brain Res."},{"key":"ref42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1339","DOI":"10.1007\/s00415-006-0523-2","article-title":"Using musical instruments to improve motor skill recovery following a stroke","volume":"254","author":"Schneider","year":"2007","journal-title":"J. Neurol."},{"key":"ref43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"6606","DOI":"10.1007\/s00415-024-12570-3","article-title":"Enriched music-supported therapy for individuals with chronic stroke: a randomized controlled trial","volume":"271","author":"Segura","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Neurol."},{"key":"ref44","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1234","DOI":"10.3389\/fneur.2021.01234","article-title":"Designing an app for home-based enriched music-supported therapy in the rehabilitation of patients with chronic stroke: a pilot feasibility study","volume":"12","author":"Segura","year":"2021","journal-title":"Front. Neurol."},{"key":"ref45","first-page":"2","article-title":"Let\u2019s improvise!: iPad-based music therapy with functional electrical stimulation for upper limb stroke rehabilitation: a clinical case report","volume":"29","author":"Silveira","year":"2018","journal-title":"Austr. J. Music Ther."},{"key":"ref46","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"18","DOI":"10.1177\/0269215517717060","article-title":"Home-based neurologic music therapy for arm hemiparesis following stroke: results from a pilot, feasibility randomized controlled trial","volume":"32","author":"Street","year":"2018","journal-title":"Clin. Rehab."},{"key":"ref47","first-page":"96","article-title":"Virtual reality music instrument playing game for upper limb rehabilitation training","author":"Sun","year":"2023"},{"key":"ref48","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3318","DOI":"10.3390\/s24113318","article-title":"Quantifying changes in dexterity as a result of piano training in people with parkinson\u2019s disease","volume":"24","author":"Tamir-Ostrover","year":"2024","journal-title":"Sensors"},{"key":"ref49","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"122","DOI":"10.1177\/15459683231219269","article-title":"ParkinSong online: feasibility of telehealth delivery and remote data collection for a therapeutic group singing study in Parkinson\u2019s","volume":"38","author":"Tamplin","year":"2024","journal-title":"Neurorehab. Neural Repair."},{"key":"ref50","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"161","DOI":"10.1097\/acm.0000000000001452","article-title":"Knowledge syntheses in medical education: demystifying scoping reviews","volume":"92","author":"Thomas","year":"2017","journal-title":"Acad. Med."},{"key":"ref51","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"467","DOI":"10.7326\/M18-0850","article-title":"PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR): checklist and explanation","volume":"169","author":"Tricco","year":"2018","journal-title":"Ann. Intern. Med."},{"key":"ref52","first-page":"57","article-title":"Combined use of music and virtual reality to support mental practice in stroke rehabilitation","volume":"4","author":"Trobia","year":"2011","journal-title":"J. Cyber. Ther. Rehabil."},{"key":"ref53","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"CD004170","DOI":"10.1002\/14651858.CD004170.pub3","article-title":"Multi-disciplinary rehabilitation for acquired brain injury in adults of working age","volume":"2015","author":"Turner-Stokes","year":"2015","journal-title":"Cochrane Database of Sys. Rev."},{"key":"ref54","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"634","DOI":"10.1080\/02699052.2018.1431842","article-title":"Effects of music production on cortical plasticity within cognitive rehabilitation of patients with mild traumatic brain injury","volume":"32","author":"Vik","year":"2018","journal-title":"Brain Inj."},{"key":"ref55","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"151","DOI":"10.1093\/mtp\/miz006","article-title":"Music technology and alternate controllers for clients with complex needs","volume":"37","author":"Ward","year":"2019","journal-title":"Music. Ther. Perspect."},{"key":"ref56","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2477","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm11092477","article-title":"Age moderates the effect of injury severity on functional trajectories in traumatic brain injury: a study using the NIDILRR traumatic brain injury model systems National Dataset","volume":"11","author":"Winter","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Clin. Med."},{"key":"ref57","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"116","DOI":"10.3389\/fneur.2019.00116","article-title":"A home-based, music-cued movement program is feasible and may improve gait in progressive supranuclear palsy","volume":"10","author":"Wittwer","year":"2019","journal-title":"Front. Neurol."},{"key":"ref58","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"16","DOI":"10.1093\/mtp\/27.1.16","article-title":"The role of therapeutic instrumental music performance in hemiparetic arm rehabilitation","volume":"27","author":"Yoo","year":"2009","journal-title":"Music. Ther. Perspect."},{"key":"ref59","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1253","DOI":"10.3233\/JPD-230169","article-title":"Feasibility and proof-of-concept of delivering an autonomous music-based digital walking intervention to persons with Parkinson\u2019s disease in a naturalistic setting","volume":"13","author":"Zajac","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Parkinsons Dis."},{"key":"ref60","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"457","DOI":"10.1682\/JRRD.2015.04.0057","article-title":"Home-based hand rehabilitation after chronic stroke: randomized, controlled single-blind trial comparing the MusicGlove with a conventional exercise program","volume":"53","author":"Zondervan","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. Rehab. Res. Devel."}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Psychology"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2025.1532925\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,5]],"date-time":"2025-02-05T18:24:15Z","timestamp":1738779855000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2025.1532925\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,5]]},"references-count":56,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fpsyg.2025.1532925"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2025.1532925","relation":{},"ISSN":["1664-1078"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1664-1078","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,5]]},"article-number":"1532925"}}