BMJ Open. 2026 Sep 22;16(9):e121081. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2026-121081.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Stroke is a leading cause of disability in Malaysia, often resulting in cognitive impairments such as reduced attention and processing speed. Music-based interventions have demonstrated potential in engaging neural networks associated with cognitive functions while home-based rehabilitation offers improved accessibility and adherence. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a home-based music rehabilitation programme targeting attention and processing speed after stroke while obtaining preliminary estimates of cognitive outcomes to inform a future definitive trial.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This parallel-group feasibility randomised controlled trial will recruit 44 stroke survivors from a tertiary rehabilitation centre. Participants will be randomly allocated (1:1) to either a 4-week home-based music rehabilitation programme (40-minute sessions, five times per week) or standard care. Primary outcomes are recruitment, retention, intervention adherence, participant acceptability, intervention fidelity, completeness of outcome data and adverse events. Secondary exploratory outcomes include cognitive performance assessed using the Test of Everyday Attention, Trail Making Test (A and B), Stroop Test and Digit Span Test. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, postintervention (4 weeks) and 3-month follow-up. Feasibility outcomes will be summarised descriptively using frequencies, proportions and 95% CIs. Exploratory cognitive outcomes will be analysed using mixed-effects models where appropriate, while qualitative interview data will be analysed thematically.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study has been approved by the UMMC Medical Research Ethics Committee 20251223-16042.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT07522463.
PMID:42772871 | DOI:10.1136/bmjopen-2026-121081