Efficacy of Melodic Intonation Therapy in the Rehabilitation of Post-VCA Broca's Aphasia: a systematic review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24310/escpsi.18.1.2025.20729Keywords:
Melodic Intonation Therapy, Broca's aphasia, language rehabilitation, stroke, verbal fluencyAbstract
Melodic Intonation Therapy (MIT) is a language rehabilitation intervention that leverages preserved melodic processing abilities to enhance verbal output in patients with non-fluent aphasia. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of MIT in the rehabilitation of patients with Broca’s aphasia following a cerebrovascular accident (CVA). Eligibility criteria included studies using MIT as the primary intervention for adults with post-stroke Broca’s aphasia. A systematic literature review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines across major databases. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using JBI critical appraisal checklists. Results indicate that MIT effectively improves verbal fluency and grammatical structuring, with positive outcomes in word production and discourse coherence. However, therapy effectiveness varies depending on treatment intensity, duration, and individual factors such as aphasia severity and time since stroke. In conclusion, MIT is an effective intervention, and personalized application is recommended alongside further research in diverse linguistic and cultural settings.
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