The impact of frequency-specific music stimulation on consciousness in patients with disorders of consciousness

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of frequency-specific music stimulation on the awareness and brain connectivity in patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC).MethodsA total of 25 DOC patients were exposed to auditory stimulation through music at varying frequencies (low: &l...

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Main Authors: Haitao Yang, Wenhao Huang, Wei Wen, Shoufeng Long, Yujie Zhang, Xiangfeng Chi, Daihong Luo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-02-01
Series:Frontiers in Neurology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1506261/full
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author Haitao Yang
Wenhao Huang
Wei Wen
Shoufeng Long
Yujie Zhang
Xiangfeng Chi
Daihong Luo
author_facet Haitao Yang
Wenhao Huang
Wei Wen
Shoufeng Long
Yujie Zhang
Xiangfeng Chi
Daihong Luo
author_sort Haitao Yang
collection DOAJ
description ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of frequency-specific music stimulation on the awareness and brain connectivity in patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC).MethodsA total of 25 DOC patients were exposed to auditory stimulation through music at varying frequencies (low: <0.5 Hz, middle: 0.5 Hz–3.5 kHz, high: >3.5 kHz). Brain responses were assessed using Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) to monitor objective markers of brain activity. The analysis focused on effective connectivity and coupling strength (CS) values in response to different frequency stimulations, targeting regions such as the motor and somatosensory cortices.ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 49.4 years, with an average coma duration of 1.96 months. While no significant differences were observed in general brain arousal across different frequency stimuli, notable differences in effective connectivity were identified. High-frequency stimulation resulted in significantly higher CS values in the right primary motor cortex (p < 0.05), while middle-frequency stimulation showed significant effects in the right primary somatosensory cortex (p = 0.016).ConclusionThe findings suggest that middle- and high-frequency music stimulation may enhance effective connectivity in specific brain regions, potentially contributing to the rehabilitation of DOC patients. These results indicate that frequency-specific music could stimulate motor networks and areas associated with autobiographical memory, highlighting its therapeutic potential in promoting awareness in this patient population.
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spelling doaj-art-3a5c89f7d8c94c66b9abda67de6a99912025-08-20T03:11:06ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neurology1664-22952025-02-011610.3389/fneur.2025.15062611506261The impact of frequency-specific music stimulation on consciousness in patients with disorders of consciousnessHaitao Yang0Wenhao Huang1Wei Wen2Shoufeng Long3Yujie Zhang4Xiangfeng Chi5Daihong Luo6The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, ChinaThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, ChinaGuangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, ChinaThe Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, ChinaGuangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, ChinaGuangdong No. 2 Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, ChinaBeijing University of Chinese Medicine Shenzhen Hospital (Longgang), Shenzhen, ChinaObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of frequency-specific music stimulation on the awareness and brain connectivity in patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC).MethodsA total of 25 DOC patients were exposed to auditory stimulation through music at varying frequencies (low: <0.5 Hz, middle: 0.5 Hz–3.5 kHz, high: >3.5 kHz). Brain responses were assessed using Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) to monitor objective markers of brain activity. The analysis focused on effective connectivity and coupling strength (CS) values in response to different frequency stimulations, targeting regions such as the motor and somatosensory cortices.ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 49.4 years, with an average coma duration of 1.96 months. While no significant differences were observed in general brain arousal across different frequency stimuli, notable differences in effective connectivity were identified. High-frequency stimulation resulted in significantly higher CS values in the right primary motor cortex (p < 0.05), while middle-frequency stimulation showed significant effects in the right primary somatosensory cortex (p = 0.016).ConclusionThe findings suggest that middle- and high-frequency music stimulation may enhance effective connectivity in specific brain regions, potentially contributing to the rehabilitation of DOC patients. These results indicate that frequency-specific music could stimulate motor networks and areas associated with autobiographical memory, highlighting its therapeutic potential in promoting awareness in this patient population.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1506261/fullmusic stimulationconsciousnessdisorders of consciousnessfrequency-specificfNIR
spellingShingle Haitao Yang
Wenhao Huang
Wei Wen
Shoufeng Long
Yujie Zhang
Xiangfeng Chi
Daihong Luo
The impact of frequency-specific music stimulation on consciousness in patients with disorders of consciousness
Frontiers in Neurology
music stimulation
consciousness
disorders of consciousness
frequency-specific
fNIR
title The impact of frequency-specific music stimulation on consciousness in patients with disorders of consciousness
title_full The impact of frequency-specific music stimulation on consciousness in patients with disorders of consciousness
title_fullStr The impact of frequency-specific music stimulation on consciousness in patients with disorders of consciousness
title_full_unstemmed The impact of frequency-specific music stimulation on consciousness in patients with disorders of consciousness
title_short The impact of frequency-specific music stimulation on consciousness in patients with disorders of consciousness
title_sort impact of frequency specific music stimulation on consciousness in patients with disorders of consciousness
topic music stimulation
consciousness
disorders of consciousness
frequency-specific
fNIR
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1506261/full
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