After brain damage caused by a neurological disease, a stroke, a traumatic brain injury or as a result of tumor removal, serious disturbances of consciousness can occur. These are also known as a persistent vegetative state, minimal responsive state or vegetative state Those affected are usually awake, but do not react at all or only minimally to their environment, including being spoken to or receiving external sensory stimuli.
The treatment guidelines of the German Society of Neurology (DGN) now recommend a Treatment with music therapyIn this form of therapy, the therapist uses familiar sounds, the singing voice or biographically significant music. Music has a strong and often lasting effect on brain function. And it can improve the responsiveness of people with impaired consciousness and thus help to stimulate alertness and communication.
Evaluated for the DGN guideline recommendation for 3 clinical studies. All three publications were of high scientific quality and demonstrate an improvement in interaction with the environment in response to music therapy. Therefore, the guideline recommendation is that the affected patients "should" receive music therapy. In the guidelines published by the Association for Scientific-Medical Research (AWMF), the recommendations are generally "should", "ought" or "can". A "should" recommendation means that the majority of patients should receive appropriate treatment.
Brain researchers such as the German music neuroscientist Prof. Stefan Koelsch believe that music is special because it is able to address complex neuronal networks in the human brain. This not only awakens emotions and memories, but also simultaneously addresses mental processes such as movement or increased concentration.
The guideline sees the advantages of music therapy treatment in that the therapy has few side effects and is comparatively easy to apply.
Stefan Koelsch (2019). Good Vibrations. The healing power of music. Ullstein Verlag