Neural Plast. 2026;2026(1):e8832006. doi: 10.1155/np/8832006.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and preliminary effects of individual music therapy (IMT) on electroencephalography (EEG) cortical activation in patients with minimally conscious state (MCS).
DESIGN: This study was pilot randomized, single-blind, and blank-controlled trial.
SETTING: China Rehabilitation Research Center (CRRC), Beijing, China.
PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-two MCS patients (diagnosed by Coma Recovery Scale-Revised [CRS-R]) were enrolled between March 2024 and July 2025; 43 completed the trial and were randomized.
INTERVENTION: The experimental group (n = 22) received 12-week individualized music therapy (30-min sessions, five times per week) delivered by a certified music therapist.
COMPARATOR: The control group (n = 21) received routine treatment and rehabilitation training without music intervention.
PRIMARY OUTCOME: The change in EEG spectral power (alpha band, 8-13 Hz) over right-hemisphere frontocentral regions from baseline (T1) to post-intervention (T2).
RESULTS: The IMT group showed significantly increased alpha power over the right lateral prefrontal cortex, precentral gyrus, and central sulcus at T2 compared T1 (p < 0.05; descriptive comparison), whereas no such change was observed in the control group. No adverse events occurred in either group.
CONCLUSION: IMT is feasible and safe in medically fragile MCS patients and may induce right-hemisphere cortical activation. These pilot findings are hypothesis-generating and require confirmation in larger, adequately powered trials.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2500114153, MR-11-24-014167.
PMID:42429675 | DOI:10.1155/np/8832006
