Press release - 1 May 2025 00:00

A third of stroke survivors can sing better than speak soon after their stroke, according to new research to mark Stroke Awareness Month

More than a third of stroke survivors (35%) are able to sing better than speak soon after their stroke, according to new research1 released today by the Stroke Association.

The charity surveyed 1,000 stroke survivors to mark Stroke Awareness Month in May and found that a third of survivors (33%) lost the ability to speak after their stroke, while over a third (35%) could sing better than they could speak in the days, weeks and months following their stroke. In fact, a quarter of people (26%) could sing or hum before they could talk at all.

In the UK, 100,000 people have strokes each year and a third of stroke survivors have aphasia, a language and communication disability, which leaves people struggling to speak, read, write or understand language.

Research2 has shown that singing after stroke can enhance communication and spoken language for people with aphasia.

The Stroke Association’s survey found that over half of stroke survivors (54%) said that singing, listening to music or playing an instrument had a positive impact on their stroke recovery, with two in five (40%) saying music had a massive impact on their recovery.

Practically, almost two thirds of stroke survivors (61%) said that music helped to improve their communication skills after their stroke, while over half (51%) said music helped their memory, and the same number (51%) said it improved their sense of hearing.

From an emotional perspective, almost half (45%) of stroke survivors who said that singing helped their recovery, said that singing along to music after their stroke helped them to relax, while over a third (34%) said singing gave them hope as they could sing better than they could speak, and two in five (43%) said it made them feel positive again.

The charity also surveyed 2,000 members of the general public and found that the UK population is unaware of the significant communication issues stroke survivors can face, with more than a quarter (28%) unaware that communication difficulties are a common effect of stroke. Beyond communication issues, people with aphasia often report that their wellbeing is negatively affected, including struggling with reduced confidence and social isolation.

Three in five stroke survivors surveyed (59%) experienced anxiety
Over half of survivors (56%) experienced low mood
Over half of survivors (52%) had reduced confidence
Two in five (40%) said they felt socially isolated after their stroke

Summer Clarke, 26, from Denton, Manchester, was given a 10% chance of survival, after being put in an induced coma following her stroke. Remarkably, during her recovery, Summer could sing before she could speak and this plus her sheer determination have been major factors in her progress post-stroke.

Summer, who was 24 at the time of her stroke, was enjoying an afternoon out with friends, when she began experiencing severe pains in her head. Summer started being violently sick and appeared to be having a fit, so she was rushed to hospital. On arriving, a scan revealed that Summer had had a spontaneous brain hemorrhage. Such was the severity of her condition, Summer wasn’t able to breathe on her own and was put on life support after being sent to hospital in Salford.

Mum, Linda, said: “The doctors did a draining procedure but the pressure on her brain was immense. I was told that she might have 48 hours to live and we should maybe say our goodbyes. She was given a 10% chance of survival – it was terrifying.”

However, two weeks after being put in an induced coma, remarkably Summer started to move her little finger and was taken out of a coma, and then eventually began breathing on her own. Mum, Linda described it as a miracle and the doctors were amazed, but Summer would stay in two hospitals for nine months and had to learn to walk and read again. Summer said: “It was like being a baby again, I had to learn everything from scratch.”

Incredibly, Summer was able to sing her favourite songs, word for word, before she could speak properly or even recognise her own mum. Mum, Linda said: “Summer suffered with so many cognitive problems but singing just came naturally to her. She could sing to music when she came out of the coma. She would start by miming songs and then she could sing anything on her playlist.”

Summer adds: “Anything we played I remembered the lyrics to, even if I didn’t recognise my own mum, it was all very strange.”

Summer and Linda, put Summer’s ongoing recovery down to sheer determination and resilience as well as her love for music and singing. Linda said: “Even when Summer was in the coma I was playing her favourite music, I really think it helped in her recovery and her Dad, Keith, Fiancée, Lewis and Sister, Courtney were all by her side too! The therapist said they were amazed by her progress and resilience which was all down to Summer’s attitude.” And Summer’s favourite song during her recovery? “It has to be Proud Mary!”

This month, the Stroke Association is encouraging people to raise their voice to help stroke survivors get the vital support they need after the devastating impact of a stroke. The charity has launched Sing4Stroke, a new fundraising initiative, where people can sing wherever they like - at home, on a live stream, at the office, at school or organise their own event, to raise vital funds to support stroke survivors and their families.

In Stroke Association-funded research on group-based singing intervention for improving the health of people with aphasia, researchers found that group singing can help people with communication difficulties after stroke by creating a safe space and strong bonds between people.

Professor Mark Tarrant, the researcher who led the study at the University of Exeter, said: “Singing-based rehabilitation may have positive effects on both social confidence and wellbeing, providing social and emotional support for people with aphasia and their loved ones.”

Juliet Bouverie OBE, CEO of the Stroke Association, said: “There are now over 1.4 million stroke survivors in the UK, and this number is growing. The impact of a stroke can be completely life-altering. We believe everyone deserves to live the best life they can after stroke but to do this, we need your support.

“Singing can be a powerful tool in stroke recovery for those who experience communication difficulties. Because music and singing are processed in a different part of the brain to spoken language, some people with communication problems find that they can sing easily, even though speaking is difficult.

“Now we need singers to show their support to stroke survivors and their families. If you’re part of a choir or singing group, you could dedicate a song to stroke survivors and donate some of the proceeds. Children at school could vote for a song to prepare and come together to sing at a special assembly for Stroke Awareness Month. You could even hold a ‘sponsored sing’ and sing 31 songs in a row – one for every day in May to highlight Stroke Awareness Month. By taking part in Sing4Stroke, you’ll help make a lasting difference to stroke survivors and their families.”

Every day in May, 240 people will wake up to the catastrophic impact of a stroke. It can leave survivors unable to move, see, speak, or even swallow. With strength, determination and the right support, recovery is possible. 

The Stroke Association is the only charity in the UK providing lifelong support for all stroke survivors and their families. The charity provides tailored support to tens of thousands of stroke survivors each year, funds vital stroke research, and campaigns to secure the best care and support for everyone affected by stroke.

By raising your voice for stroke survivors this May, you can help stroke survivors and their loved ones to find strength through support. Sign up to Sing4Stroke at https://www.stroke.org.uk/singing

Topics

Over 90,000 people survive a stroke every year in the UK, but surviving a stroke is just the start of a long and traumatic battle to finding their way back to life.

The Stroke Association is the only charity in the UK providing life-long support for all stroke survivors and their families. We provide tailored support to tens of thousands of stroke survivors each year, fund vital scientific research, and campaign to bring the best care and support for everyone affected by stroke.

Anyone affected by stroke can visit stroke.org.uk or call our dedicated Stroke Support Helpline on 0303 3033 100 for information, guidance or a chat when times are tough.

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