Evaluation of measurement methods for testing active piano training as a neurorehabilitation approach in youth with cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy is a common neurodevelopmental impairment mostly caused by prenatal and perinatal cerebral lesions. Especially children and youth with disabilities are fascinated by listening to music and making music. Therefore, a possible positive effect on the maturation of the brain and hand motor skills should be investigated. Different measurement methods for future studies of the infuence of active piano training on fne and gross hand motor function in youth with cerebral palsy are described. Appropriate methods such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), electroencephalography, video analysis of motion, the grip force transducer test, and diagnostic tests, as well as normative testing procedures for motor and cognitive abilities, were examined in several test experiments. Piano playing skills were evaluated using the musical instrument digital interface (MIDI). fMRI, MIDI piano tests, and grip force measurement were especially suitable for the study. Also, standard therapeutic tests were established as essential to assessing cognitive and perception abilities of youths. The results of this evaluation provide recommendations on the suitability and conclusiveness of measurements quantifying that piano playing can stimulate neuronal plasticity and improve hand motor functions in youth with cerebral palsy. Based on these fndings, a study of piano training as a new therapeutic approach can be implemented.