Music Therapy for Parkinson's Disease

Overseen By Mikey Jose, B.Sc.

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of British Columbia

Disqualifiers: Atypical parkinsonism, Epilepsy, Cognitive impairment, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

Duration: 8 weeks

50 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is often accompanied by non-motor symptoms that make treatment more difficult. One such symptom is apathy (lack of motivation and emotion). There are no treatments for apathy in PD, and this remains a major unmet need in PD patients. One possible way to target apathy in PD patients is listening to music, which has been shown to help improve apathy in older adults. Little work has explored the mechanism in which music targets apathy. Thus, the goal of this study is to understand how music listening can impact the brain towards decreasing apathy in PD patients.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Music Therapy for Parkinson's Disease?

Research shows that music therapy, including rhythmic auditory stimulation, can help improve walking and movement in people with Parkinson's Disease. Studies have found that using music and rhythm can enhance motor skills and balance, making it a promising treatment for movement disorders. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is music therapy safe for humans?

Music therapy, including rhythmic auditory stimulation, is generally considered safe for humans and has been used effectively in treating neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease and stroke. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

How does music therapy differ from other treatments for Parkinson's disease?

Music therapy for Parkinson's disease is unique because it uses rhythmic auditory cues from music to help improve movement and balance, unlike traditional treatments that often rely on medication. This therapy can also enhance communication and emotional well-being through singing and other music-based activities, offering a holistic approach to managing symptoms. ^{1 3 4 8 9}

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for people with Parkinson's Disease who experience apathy. They must be clinically diagnosed following MDS criteria and have a MoCa score above 21, indicating no significant cognitive impairment. Those with moderate depression, other neurological issues, metal/medical implants, or recent tattoos/surgery are excluded.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.

Exclusion Criteria

I have had an injury or surgery on my brain, such as metal in my eye.

I have a form of Parkinsonism that is not typical Parkinson's disease.

I have a neurological condition like MS, stroke, or brain lesion.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Initial assessments including musical perception and overall cognition

0 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants engage in an 8-week audio-based intervention with music or podcast listening

8 weeks

Weekly virtual check-ins

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in apathy and reward sensitivity after treatment

4 weeks

2 visits (in-person)

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Music listening
• Podcast listening

Trial Overview The study investigates how music listening might reduce apathy in Parkinson's patients compared to podcast listening. It aims to understand the brain mechanisms involved when PD patients listen to music as a potential non-pharmacological treatment for apathy.

Participant Groups

Group I: Parkinson's Disease with apathy - Podcast-listening Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants in this arm will receive a YouTube account app to use. Prior to the start of the intervention, a research team member will guide participants in this group in choosing a podcast that they "find rewarding or motivating".

Group II: Parkinson's Disease with apathy - Music-listening Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants in this arm will receive a YouTube account app to use. Prior to the start of the intervention, a research team member will guide participants in this group in constructing a playlist of music that they "find rewarding or motivating".

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of British Columbia

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,506

Recruited

2,528,000+

Northeastern University

Collaborator

Trials

103

Recruited

72,600+

Findings from Research

Rhythmic auditory stimulation, which uses music or rhythmic cues, has been shown to effectively improve walking function in patients with Parkinson's disease and other neurological disorders, both during therapy sessions and over time.

Melodic intonation therapy can enhance speech abilities in patients with expressive dysphasia and supports rehabilitation for conditions like Parkinson's disease and stroke, highlighting the therapeutic potential of music-based interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Can music therapy for patients with neurological disorders?]. Myskja, A.[2008]

A systematic review identified 15 studies demonstrating that rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) through music therapy significantly improves spatiotemporal gait parameters such as speed, stride length, cadence, and range of motion in patients with movement disorders.

The findings support the use of music-based therapy as an effective rehabilitation tool in clinical practice for neurological populations, highlighting its potential benefits in enhancing mobility and movement function.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of Music Based Therapy Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS) Using Wearable Device in Rehabilitation of Neurological Patients: A Systematic Review. Scataglini, S., Van Dyck, Z., Declercq, V., et al.[2023]

Recent studies show that rhythmic auditory stimulation can significantly improve gait parameters in Parkinson's disease, including reducing gait freezing and potentially lowering the risk of falls.

There is emerging evidence that music therapy, including group dancing and singing, may provide both motor and non-motor benefits for patients with Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders, although more rigorous research is needed to confirm these effects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Music Therapy and Music-Based Interventions for Movement Disorders. Devlin, K., Alshaikh, JT., Pantelyat, A.[2020]

Music-based physical therapy significantly improved balance and functional mobility in individuals with Parkinson's Disease, as assessed through various standardized tests during the treatment period.

However, these improvements were not sustained after the therapy was stopped, indicating that ongoing treatment may be necessary to maintain benefits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Music-based physical therapy in Parkinson's disease: An approach based on international Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Katlen da Silva, L., Silva Brito, TS., Pascucci Sande de Souza, LA., et al.[2021]

In a study involving 116 patients with Parkinson's disease, rhythmic auditory stimulation combined with visual stimuli significantly improved motor and balance functions over eight weeks, as evidenced by increased step size, decreased frequency, and improved scores on the Parkinson's Disease scale and Berg Balance Scale.

The treatment group showed notable enhancements in walking distance and overall motor function compared to the control group receiving standard drug treatment, highlighting the potential of this combined therapy as an effective intervention for managing Parkinson's disease symptoms.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Rhythmic auditory stimulation with visual stimuli on motor and balance function of patients with Parkinson's disease. Song, JH., Zhou, PY., Cao, ZH., et al.[2019]

Rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) significantly improves motor function and balance in stroke patients, with notable enhancements in gait parameters such as step length, cadence, and walking velocity, based on a meta-analysis of 18 studies involving various outcome measures.

While RAS shows promise in enhancing balance ability, the evidence is less robust, indicating a need for further research to strengthen findings in this area, as only a limited number of studies focused on balance outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of rhythmic auditory stimulation on motor function and balance ability in stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical randomized controlled studies. Wang, L., Peng, JL., Xiang, W., et al.[2023]

Music therapy, including rhythm music stimulation, therapeutic singing, and instrument performance, effectively improves gait disorders in patients with Parkinson's disease.

The benefits of music therapy are attributed to several mechanisms, such as engaging the cerebellum, enhancing rhythm entrainment, accelerating motor learning, and increasing cortical activity, all of which contribute to better recovery in gait function.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Research Progress of Music Therapy on Gait Intervention in Patients with Parkinson's Disease. Wu, Z., Kong, L., Zhang, Q.[2022]

Neurologic music therapy (NMT), specifically using rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS), has been shown to significantly improve gait and balance in elderly patients with Parkinson's disease and stroke, based on a review of 8 randomized controlled trials.

The studies indicate that RAS not only enhances mobility but also reduces the risk of falls in Parkinson's disease patients, highlighting its potential as an effective non-pharmacological rehabilitation technique for geriatric disorders.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Neurologic Music Therapy in Geriatric Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review. Rusowicz, J., Szczepańska-Gieracha, J., Kiper, P.[2022]

A systematic review of 58 studies from 2015 to 2020 found that music therapy can positively impact various aspects of life for patients with Parkinson's disease, including motor skills, communication, and emotional well-being.

Music therapy programs, which include activities like rhythmic auditory stimulation and singing, have been shown to improve the quality of life for individuals with Parkinson's, suggesting it is a valuable complementary therapy alongside traditional pharmacological treatments.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Music Therapy and Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review from 2015-2020. Machado Sotomayor, MJ., Arufe-Giráldez, V., Ruíz-Rico, G., et al.[2021]

References

1. Norway pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Can music therapy for patients with neurological disorders?]. [2008]

2. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of Music Based Therapy Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS) Using Wearable Device in Rehabilitation of Neurological Patients: A Systematic Review. [2023]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Music Therapy and Music-Based Interventions for Movement Disorders. [2020]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Music-based physical therapy in Parkinson's disease: An approach based on international Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. [2021]

5. Italy pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Rhythmic auditory stimulation with visual stimuli on motor and balance function of patients with Parkinson's disease. [2019]

6. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of rhythmic auditory stimulation on motor function and balance ability in stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical randomized controlled studies. [2023]

7. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Research Progress of Music Therapy on Gait Intervention in Patients with Parkinson's Disease. [2022]

8. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Neurologic Music Therapy in Geriatric Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review. [2022]

9. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Music Therapy and Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review from 2015-2020. [2021]