Does music induce interbrain synchronization between a non-speaking youth with cerebral palsy (CP), a parent, and a neurologic music therapist? A brief report. (18th August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kang, Kyurim; Orlandi, Silvia; Lorenzen, Nicole; Chau, Tom; Thaut, Michael H.
• Is Part Of: Developmental neurorehabilitation. Volume 25:Number 6(2022)
• Page Start: 426
• Page End: 432
• Publication Date: 2022-08-18
• Subjects: Music -- hyperscanning -- interbrain synchronization -- electroencephalography (EEG) -- empathy and social interaction -- non-speaking cerebral palsy (CP); Children with disabilities -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Developmentally disabled children -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; 615.542
• DOI: 10.1080/17518423.2022.2051628
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-8423

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Shared emotional experiences during musical activities among musicians can be coupled with brainwave synchronization. For non-speaking individuals with CP, verbal communication may be limited in expressing mutual empathy. Therefore, this case study explored interbrain synchronization among a non-speaking CP (female, 18 yrs), her parent, and a music therapist by measuring their brainwaves simultaneously during four music and four storytelling sessions. In only the youth-parent dyad, we observed a significantly higher level of interbrain synchronization during music rather than story-telling condition. However, in both the youth-parent and youth-therapist dyad, regardless of condition type, significant interbrain synchronization emerged in frontal and temporal lobes in the low-frequency bands, which are associated with socio-emotional responses. Although interbrain synchronization may have been induced by multiple factors (e.g., external stimuli, shared empathetic experiences, and internal physiological rhythms), the music activity setting deserves further study as a potential facilitator of neurophysiological synchrony between youth with CP and caregivers/healthcare providers.