Stroke remains a leading cause of disability, often resulting in motor, sensory, and cognitive deficits. Developing innovative rehabilitation strategies to facilitate functional recovery is imperative. Music therapy, which commonly entails rhythmic and melodic exercises, has shown promise in promoting motor, speech, and emotional recovery after stroke. TMS has emerged as a useful modality to modulate cortical activity and support neoplastic changes. The combination of these modalities may result in a more robust clinical improvement than either therapy alone.

A total of 5 studies were included in the final review. The combined use of MT and TMS showed enhanced motor recovery compared to either intervention alone. MT improved upper limb dexterity and fine motor skills, with studies reporting increased motor-evoked potentials and cortical activation post-intervention. TMS further amplified neuroplastic changes by modulating motor cortex excitability, enhancing the efficacy of MT. Additionally, cognitive improvements were observed, particularly in speech and emotional regulation, where MT provided rhythmic auditory stimulation and TMS modulated cortical activity.

The integration of music therapy with transcranial magnetic stimulation presents a promising approach for stroke rehabilitation. The combined modality leverages the strengths of both interventions, leading to improved motor, cognitive, and emotional outcomes. Further investigation is warranted to validate these findings and optimize protocols for clinical application.