Page 36 - NAMAH-Jan-2023

Namah Vol. 30, Issue 4, 15th January 2023

research that Auditory cues have been applied neurological impairment. Research has shown
in the form of music as well as a metronome RAS to be effective in two different ways:
in combination with other physiotherapeutic first as an immediate entrainment stimulus
techniques within a functional rehabilitation providing rhythmic cues during movement,
programme with a long term follow up. In and secondly, as a facilitating stimulus for
1996 the first systematic investigation of training in order to achieve more functional
auditory rhythmic cues in gait training for gait patterns (1).”
PD was carried out by Thaut and Miller,
who studied the effect of a 3-week daily In conclusion, the case study and supportive
home-based rhythmic training programme research data emphasises that gait and balance
compared with self-paced gait exercise and movement problems are very common in
no specific gait training. Pre and post tests patients with Parkinson’s disease. The study
were assessed without rhythmic training shows that potential of musical cueing as a
cues and eventually Thaut et al. introduced therapeutic strategy to improve mobility and
the term rhythmic auditory stimulation gait kinematics is well recorded and opens
(RAS). Based on this evidence, the use the door for further research in rhythmic
of RAS provided as a rhythmic beat was auditory stimulation techniques for better
recommended as a part of physical therapy results in some other typical characteristics in
intervention in guidelines to improve gait PD Patients. Group dancing helps the patients
and gait related activities in rehabilitation to not only improve their balance and other
of PD patients. In the year 2005, Lim et al. gait kinematics but also helps in emotional
explained RAS as directed at influencing well-being and social support.
cadence, however it may indirectly affect
other gait parameters such as stride-length Reference
and walking speed as well. So finally, we got
the definition of RAS as, “Rhythmic auditory 1. Thaut, MH. and Hoemberg V. Handbook of
stimulation (RAS) is a neurological technique Neurologic Music Therapy, Oxford: Oxford
used to facilitate the rehabilitation, development University Press; 2014, pp. 69-105.
and maintenance of movements that are
intrinsically biologically rhythmical. This
primarily refers to gait. However, armswing
is also rhythmic when paired with walking.
RAS uses the physiological effects of auditory
rhythm on the motor system to improve
the control of movement in rehabilitation of
functional, stable, and adaptive gait patterns
in patients with significant gait deficits due to

Aradhana Deogharia is a neurological music therapist and the Founder and President of NAVYA
Foundation, USA.

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