A Music-Based Digital Therapeutic: Proof-of-Concept Automation of a Progressive and Individualized Rhythm-Based Walking Training Program After Stroke.

BACKGROUND: The rhythm of music can entrain neurons in motor cortex by way of direct connections between auditory and motor brain regions.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to automate an individualized and progressive music-based, walking rehabilitation program using real-time sensor data in combination with decision algorithms.

METHODS: A music-based digital therapeutic was developed to maintain high sound quality while modulating, in real-time, the tempo (ie, beats per minute, or bpm) of music based on a user's ability to entrain to the tempo and progress to faster walking cadences in-sync with the progression of the tempo. Eleven individuals with chronic hemiparesis completed one automated 30-minute training visit. Seven returned for 2 additional visits. Safety, feasibility, and rehabilitative potential (ie, changes in walking speed relative to clinically meaningful change scores) were evaluated.

RESULTS: A single, fully automated training visit resulted in increased usual (∆ 0.085 ± 0.027 m/s, = .011) and fast (∆ 0.093 ± 0.032 m/s, = .016) walking speeds. The 7 participants who completed additional training visits increased their usual walking speed by 0.12 ± 0.03 m/s after only 3 days of training. Changes in walking speed were highly related to changes in walking cadence ( > 0.70). No trips or falls were noted during training, all users reported that the device helped them walk faster, and 70% indicated that they would use it most or all of the time at home.

CONCLUSIONS: In this proof-of-concept study, we show that a sensor-automated, progressive, and individualized rhythmic locomotor training program can be implemented safely and effectively to train walking speed after stroke. Music-based digital therapeutics have the potential to facilitate salient, community-based rehabilitation.