The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) and Hull Integrated Community Stroke Service (HICSS), part of Humber NHS Foundation Trust, today revealed the significant impact of their STROKESTRA collaboration. The pioneering pilot programme established that creative music-making can be used to support rehabilitation in stroke patients with clear benefits for stroke survivors and carers.
STROKESTRA’s pilot programme consisted of RPO musician- and NHS health professional-led workshops and culminated in a high-profile performance outcome at Hull City Hall. Stroke survivors, carers, therapists and RPO musicians performed original pieces of music in a celebratory showcase of their creative and rehabilitative success. A video including footage of the programme is available online.
At a breakfast event for healthcare industry professionals and media, representatives of the Orchestra and HICSS today set out the striking findings of the STROKESTRA pilot. Highlights include:
- 86% of patients reported improvements in cognition, emotional wellbeing and symptom relief
- 71% of patients reported physical benefits
- 100% of carers reported improvements in their wellbeing and personal relationships
The full Pilot Programme Report is available on the RPO’s dedicated STROKESTRA page.
The RPO and HICSS also launched their STROKESTRA Programme Guide, with the hope of allowing others to create similar outcomes in more communities in time.
STROKESTRA is one of the latest initiatives within the RPO’s groundbreaking and award-winning community and education programme, RPO Resound, which has been at the forefront of delivering orchestral outreach projects since its inception in 1993. RPO Resound underpins the RPO’s extensive programme of UK regional performances and ultimately enhances lives through the extraordinary power of music.
James Williams, Managing Director of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, said,
“This project underscores our belief that music is for all and fundamental to quality of life. We seek to take music and its many benefits and pleasures to as many people as possible and hope that others can learn from the fantastic work of our team and HICSS so that more stroke survivors can experience the benefits we revealed today.”
Carol Hargreaves, Clinical Lead at Hull Integrated Community Stroke Service, said,
"Not only has this programme had a profound effect on patients and carers - who reported improvements in hand function and mobility, speech, attention, confidence and mood - but it has also vastly improved team cohesion and morale here at HICSS."
Notes to Editor
Contact information
Chris Evans, Director of Press and Marketing, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Tel: 020 7608 8836 E:
Matt Walton, Communications Officer, Humber NHS Foundation Trust
Tel: 01482 389116 E:
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO)
The story of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) is colourful and dramatic with a reputation worldwide for music-making of the highest quality. In 1946, Sir Thomas Beecham set out to create a world-class ensemble from the finest musicians in the country. Beecham envisioned an orchestra that would bring the greatest music to audiences across the world and, to this day, Beecham’s legacy lives on.
Over the years, the RPO has become a byword for exceptional quality and versatility, undertaking a diverse range of activities from traditional concerts in concert halls to classical spectaculars and ‘cross-over’ concerts in arenas. The Orchestra is London-based and performs regularly at the Royal Albert Hall, Cadogan Hall and Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, as well as undertaking a busy schedule of UK concerts, international tours, recordings for CD, film and television, and community and education work.
Hull Integrated Stroke Service (HICSS)
Hull Integrated Community Stroke Service (HICSS) is a dedicated health and social care team that supports stroke survivors in Hull. Funded by the Hull Clinical Commissioning Group as part of the Humber NHS Trust, HICSS uses a team of occupational, physical and speech and language therapists, nurses and clinical psychologists to provide support for stroke survivors throughout their recovery, including inpatient care, Early Supported Discharge and longer term community rehabilitation.