Article

Music listening conveys beneficial effects on cognitive processes in
both normal and pathologic cerebral functioning. Surprisingly, no quantitative
study has evaluated the potential effects of music on cognition and consciousness
in patients with disorders of consciousness. The aim of the present
study was to evaluate the effect of music on cerebral processing in patients with
disorders of consciousness. METHODS: Using bedside electroencephalographic
recording, we acquired in 13 patients with disorders of consciousness
event-related potentials to the patient's first name after either an excerpt of
the patient's preferred music (music condition) or a continuous sound (control
condition). RESULTS: The cerebral response to the patient's first name was more
often observed in the music condition, than in the control condition.
Furthermore, the presence or absence of a discriminative response in the music
condition seemed to be associated with a favorable or unfavorable outcome,
respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate for the first time that
music has a beneficial effect on cognitive processes of patients with disorders
of consciousness. The autobiographical characteristics of music, that is, its
emotional and personal relevance, probably increase arousal and/or awareness.
CI - (c) The Author(s) 2015.

Langue : ANGLAIS