Singing can help patients speak after stroke

Melodic Intonation Therapy (MIT) helps patients who have lost their speech after suffering a stroke to regain their speech. The right hemisphere of the brain is associated with musical ability while the left hemisphere is responsible for speech processing. Stroke patients whose left hemisphere is affected, but the right hemisphere is undamaged are able to get back their speech through song therapy. Mohan Shamim, 61, who resides in Mumbai  suffered a stroke 15 years ago that affected a part of his brain’s left hemisphere, leaving him unable to speak. But now, Shamim is learning to speak again through MIT. Senior neurologist Dr Shirish Hastak, group director, Neurology and Stroke Services, Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai Central spoke to Shamim and his wife at length and realised that not only did Shamim retain the ability to sing; he did not even slur his words while singing.  Hastak said that the speech therapist taps Shamim’s left hand (which is controlled by the right brain), and this tapping engages the motor nerves needed to produce speech in the patient’s mouth and throat, bridging the gap between singing and speaking. He added that with continued practice, the right hemisphere becomes active and the patients  gradually begins to speak. Dr. Hastak said that this therapy hasn't become very popular as many patients aren’t comfortable singing to communicate, but now, science has become so advanced that it is able to record changes in the brain and is helping people with speech disabilities after stroke.