Using music therapy to improve balance and gait in stroke rehabilitation

Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation as Pre-Gait Training for Improving Balance and Weight Shifting in Rehabilitation Patients: A Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial

NA · University of Malaya · NCT06995092

This study is testing if using music therapy can help stroke patients improve their balance and walking during rehabilitation.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment30 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 75 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Malaya (other)
Locations1 site (Kuala Lumpur)
Trial IDNCT06995092 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study explores the use of Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS) as a pre-gait training intervention for stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation. It aims to assess the feasibility of incorporating RAS into standard physiotherapy programs, focusing on its impact on balance, weight-shifting abilities, and overall gait performance. The study will evaluate patient participation, adherence, and integration with existing treatments, while also gathering preliminary data to inform future larger-scale studies.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are stroke patients with diagnosed gait impairments who are referred for physiotherapy and can communicate in Bahasa Melayu or English.

Not a fit: Patients with severe cognitive or auditory impairments, unstable medical conditions, or a history of neurological diseases other than stroke may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could enhance rehabilitation outcomes for stroke patients by improving their balance and gait performance.

How similar studies have performed: Preliminary studies have suggested that RAS can improve gait performance, but this specific application as pre-gait training is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosed with gait impairments
* Referred to physiotherapy for rehabilitation
* Ability to provide informed consent
* Understands Bahasa Melayu or English with basic communication abilities to follow instructions during therapy sessions

Exclusion Criteria:

* Severe cognitive impairments
* Severe auditory impairments
* Severe or unstable medical conditions (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes).
* Medications that significantly impair cognition or motor function (e.g., high-dose sedatives).
* History of neurological diseases other than stroke (eg, Parkinson's disease).

Where this trial is running

Kuala Lumpur

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Stroke, Acute, Gait, Spastic, Attention Impaired, Music therapy, randomised controlled trial, rehabilitation, stroke, cognition

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.