Our senses play a fundamental role in our interaction with the world, whether for perceiving, acting, or adapting. In rehabilitation, certain senses, such as vision, are often prioritized, particularly through the observation of actions to guide motor learning (e.g., Eaves et al., 2016; Peng et al., 2019). However, hearing, long relegated to the background, has proven to be a powerful tool for stimulating recovery and motor function.
What is the impact of hearing on movement?
The idea may seem surprising: how can a sound influence movement? Yet, clinical research began exploring this dimension several decades ago, drawing on a universal phenomenon: the instinctive human tendency to synchronize with a musical rhythm. This observation highlights a profound connection between the auditory and sensorimotor systems, linking rhythmic perception to motor control (Zatorre et al., 2007).
Fascinated by this interaction, many researchers have explored its clinical potential, paving the way for innovative approaches such as rhythmic auditory stimulation. This type of stimulation uses regular rhythms to improve the cadence and fluidity of movements, particularly in people with neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease (e.g., Emmery et al., 2023; Pando-Naude et al., 2024). Thanks to this auditory stimulation, patients are able to regulate their gait and reduce episodes of "freezing" (motor blocks), illustrating the close link between sound and movement.
More recently, research has turned to more subtle aspects of sound, such as its frequency content. Among these discoveries, binaural beats have garnered attention. These sounds, generated by slightly different frequencies in each ear, produce a perceived beat-like effect in the brain. They have shown promising effects on cognitive states, notably promoting relaxation, attention, and concentration. Their clinical application ranges from stress management to improving cognitive performance, thanks to their ability to modulate brain states. This same property is being explored in the treatment of ADHD, where they show encouraging results in strengthening sustained attention (Basu & Banerjee, 2023).
Neuromotor rehabilitation and listening to low-frequency sounds
The exploration of low-frequency sounds has recently opened new perspectives on their impact on movement. The work of Cameron and colleagues revealed that these low frequencies increase spontaneous movement, even when participants are not consciously aware of their presence in the music (Cameron et al., 2022). These findings highlight the unique potential of low-frequency sounds in motor rehabilitation, offering unprecedented opportunities to stimulate physical abilities and optimize therapeutic approaches.
In this context, approaches like the Allyane method, which incorporates the use of low-frequency sounds emitted by a patented medical device to reprogram motor patterns, offer promising prospects. By associating specific sounds with motor imagery, this method promotes targeted and personalized rehabilitation.
These advances highlight the untapped potential of hearing to transform the way we think about functional rehabilitation, by combining the power of sound with modern neurophysiological approaches.
Thus, hearing, this often neglected sense, is now positioned as a key player in motor and cognitive recovery, promising a future rich in therapeutic innovations.
References:
Basu, S., & Banerjee, B. (2023). Potential of binaural beats intervention for improving memory and attention: Insights from meta-analysis and systematic review. Psychological Research, 87(4), 951–963. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00426-022-01706-7
Braun Janzen, T., Koshimori, Y., Richard, N.M., & Thaut, MH (2021). Rhythm and Music-Based Interventions in Motor Rehabilitation: Current Evidence and Future Perspectives. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 15, 789467. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2021.789467
Cameron, DJ, Dotov, D., Flaten, E., Bosnyak, D., Hove, MJ, & Trainor, LJ (2022). Undetectable very-low frequency sound increases dancing at a live concert. Current Biology, 32(21), R1222–R1223. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2022.09.035
Dos Anjos, T., Gabriel, F., Dutra Vieira, T., Hopper, GP, & Sonnery-Cottet, B. (2023). Neuromotor Treatment of Arthrogenic Muscle Inhibition After Knee Injury or Surgery. Sports Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach, 194173812311692. https://doi.org/10.1177/19417381231169285
Eaves, D.L., Riach, M., Holmes, P.S., & Wright, D.J. (2016). Motor Imagery during Action Observation: A Brief Review of Evidence, Theory and Future Research Opportunities. Forehead. Neurosci., 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2016.00514
Emmery, L., Hackney, ME, Kesar, T., McKay, JL, & Rosenberg, MC (2023). An integrated review of music cognition and rhythmic stimuli in sensorimotor neurocognition and neurorehabilitation. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1530(1), 74–86. https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.15079
Garcia-Argibay, M., Santed, M.A., & Reales, J.M. (2019). Efficacy of binaural auditory beats in cognition, anxiety, and pain perception: A meta-analysis. Psychological Research, 83(2), 357–372. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00426-018-1066-8
Pando-Naude, V., Jespersen, K.V., Johnsen, E., & Vuust, P. (2024). Rhythmic auditory stimulation for motor rehabilitation in Parkinson's disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2024(2). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD015759
Peng, T.-H., Zhu, J.-D., Chen, C.-C., Tai, R.-Y., Lee, C.-Y., & Hsieh, Y.-W. (2019). Action observation therapy for improving arm function, walking ability, and daily activity performance after stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Rehabil, 33(8), 1277–1285. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269215519839108
Zatorre, RJ, Chen, JL, & Penhune, VB (2007). When the brain plays music: Auditory–motor interactions in music perception and production. Nat Rev Neurosci, 8(7), 547–558. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn2152