An App for Arm Rehabilitation with Music (AARM) following brain injury that combines musical instrument playing and rhythmic synchronisation with regular rehab

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Opportunity for contributions to this innovative technological solution to improve neurorehabilitation access and efficacy

Global access to sufficient neurorehabilitation is inequitable and only fixable through the development and implementation of technological solutions.

What does AARM do?

1. Massed practice of arm movements through playing music interactively, combined with occupational therapy exercises and real-world Activities of Daily Living (off the app)

2. Sound from the instruments create connectivity between auditory and motor neural pathways, improving arm function

3. Exercise sequences synchronised to strongly pulsed music improve movement planning and smoothness

4. Tablet positioning and arrangement of touchscreen instruments facilitates all types of arm/hand movement: finger dexterity, grip, arm flexion and extension

5. Music is motivating, aiding exercise adherence, confirmed via research participant data: “I didn’t realise how long I had been playing” “much better than simply being asked to reach for objects repeatedly with no clear purpose.”

6. Carry-over into real world improvements as the app guides users to transfer the same movements from app exercises to activities of daily living (away from the tablet)

This unique app will be specially calibrated for each individual, providing motivating touchscreen musical instrument exercises that improve whole arm and hand function by delivering the amount of repetition required to rewire the brain and nervous system.

AARM then guides users to non-music-based exercises on the app that they would usually receive from rehab services, providing video guides for exercises to do off the app as well as other touchscreen ones. This means that each user receives the massed practice required for optimal recovery and that their new skills will transfer effectively into the real world. There will be links too in the app, directing users to practitioners and services that can further support their continued recovery.

Figure 1. Example of a daily activity to perform off the app, improving carry-over

How Soon could it be available to patients and practitioners?

Within three-years of investment to build the complete app (£500K) brain injury survivors could be using the app in the home and on rehabilitation wards.

Figure 2. Stroke participant practicing pinch grip and playing touchscreen guitar

Does it use AI?

Yes! And the beauty of it is that a machine learning algorithm will be developed as the app is refined and tested. This will designate exercises appropriate for each user’s unique needs, progress difficulty levels, monitor safety and provide motivating feedback and data on recovery.

App build cost

Fully functional medical grade app cost £500,000.

Contributions to the first exercise set with onboarding for further co-design and user testing requires an initial outlay of £20,000 – any contributions towards this can be made to Cambridge Institute of Music Therapy Research welcome, contact alex.street@aru.ac.uk for more information.