Abstract
The CDC found that every year in the United States 795,000 people have a stroke, with approximately 610,000 of these being the person's first stroke. The CDC shows that stroke-related costs in the U.S. were around $46 million in between the years 2015 and 2016 (CDC, 2020). The Stroke Foundation has indicated that upper extremity weakness is one of the main symptoms seen following a stroke. It is important to look at planning movement, shoulder pain, changes in sensation, and swelling following a stroke (Stroke Foundation, n.d.). Working towards upper extremity functional outcomes is a crucial aspect in recovery. Knowing how important it is to have the most efficient and client-centered care possible, a search to evaluate the effectiveness of incorporating music-based external auditory stimulations in conjunction with traditional interventions to improve upper extremity (UE) functional outcomes of adults who have sustained a stroke. Although studies failed to show specific parameters, the use of music, auditory cueing, and sonification could be used in conjunction with traditional occupational therapy services (ADLs, IADLs, strengthening, task-specific training, NMES etc.) post stroke to improve an individual’s functional outcome of their impacted upper extremities.