Piano Playing to Improve Hand Use After Recent Stroke
Tests piano training against usual therapy in adults recovering from a recent stroke.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Playing Piano to Improve Hand Function Early After Stroke
Key facts
- Where
- Laval, CanadaSee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 40 and 74 years old?
Source: NCT06621771, who can take part
Where in Canada
- Jewish Rehabilitation HospitalLaval, CanadaTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- McGill University
- Trial code
- NCT06621771
- Record updated
- 7 October 2026
- Original description
The goal of this clinical trial is to study the feasibility of a 6-week piano playing training intervention in a subacute stroke population. More specifically, the investigators aim to (1) implement and test the feasibility of the intervention in the subacute stroke rehabilitation program; and (2) explore the acceptability of the supervised training sessions and home practice sessions. Researchers will also (3) estimate and contrast the effects of the piano training intervention as compared to conventional therapy on manual dexterity, coordination, functional use of the upper extremity, attention and mood.Read full original descriptionShow less
A Piano Training Program to Improve Manual Dexterity and Upper Extremity Function in Subacute Stroke Survivors
The goal of this clinical trial is to study the feasibility of a 6-week piano playing training intervention in a subacute stroke population. More specifically, the investigators aim to (1) implement and test the feasibility of the intervention in the subacute stroke rehabilitation program; and (2) explore the acceptability of the supervised training sessions and home practice sessions. Researchers will also (3) estimate and contrast the effects of the piano training intervention as compared to conventional therapy on manual dexterity, coordination, functional use of the upper extremity, attention and mood.
Therapy specifically provided as part of this project will be delivered above and beyond usual therapy time in both intervention groups. Participants of the piano group will:
* Engage in a step-by-step musical training consisting of two supervised, individual 45-min sessions per week for 6 consecutive weeks, for a total of 12 sessions. * The supervised session will also be complemented with a biweekly home program (15 minutes) consisting of piano exercises.
Participants in the conventional group will:
* Engage in two individual 45-min sessions per week for 6 consecutive weeks consisting in conventional occupational therapy treatment. * They will also receive a biweekly home program consisting in occupational therapy exercises (15 minutes).
Inclusion: Have normal/corrected visual and auditory acuity; Present a first-ever supratentorial unilateral stroke (1-24 weeks post-stroke); Present some capacity of dissociation of arm and finger movements, as reflected by scores of 3 to 6 on the arm and hand components of the Chedoke McMaster Stroke Assessment; Have the capacity to follow simple instructions; Have no professional piano experience (only for the piano group).
Exclusion: Presence of visual field defect, hemineglect as well as dementia or moderate-to-severe cognitive deficits (score less than 18 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment).