Enjoying art ‘can aid stroke recovery’

An appreciation of art can help stroke survivors to recover more quickly from their conditions than others, according to a new study.

Scientists at the University Tor Vergata in Rome have conducted a study in which almost 200 elderly stroke survivors were asked whether or not they enjoyed music, painting or the theatre, before a comparative quality of life assessment was carried out.

It was found that those with interest in the arts enjoyed better general health, found it easier to walk and had more energy, while also being happier, retaining better memory capacity and communicating more easily.

Researchers have suggested this trend could be linked to the release of dopamine in the brain that has been associated with listening to music.

Dr Ercole Vellone, assistant professor in nursing science at the University Tor Vergata's school of nursing, said: "The results suggest that art may make long-term changes to the brain, which help it recover when things go wrong."

This comes during a month when the UK government is running a series of TV adverts as part of its Act FAST campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the key symptoms of strokes.