Melodic Intonation Therapy: Insights into Cognitive Archaeology and the Evolution of Ancient Communication

Authors

  • Ruiting Zhang 1Department of Music and Dance, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453000, P.R. China 2Department of Music Therapy, Sookmyung Women's University,Seoul 999007, Republic of Korea
  • Rui Liang Department of Music Education Center, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, West Xianning Road,Xi'an, Shaanxi 710049, P.R. China

Keywords:

Melodic intonation therapy; Stroke; Aphasia; Meta-analysis

Abstract

Melodic Intonation Therapy (MIT), which integrates rhythm and melody into speech, provides a unique perspective on the evolution of communication and its cognitive and cultural dimensions. This study synthesizes existing evidence on MIT, analyzing its potential implications for cognitive archaeology and the study of ancient communication systems. A meta-analysis of 15 studies involving 694 participants demonstrated significant improvements in speech fluency, comprehension, and naming ability. These findings highlight MIT’s relevance in understanding ancient communication practices, early cognitive mechanisms, and the preservation of intangible cultural heritage, offering valuable insights for interdisciplinary research in archaeology and anthropology.

Published

2024-11-24

Issue

Section

Manuscript