Group-based music intervention in Parkinson’s disease – findings from a mixed-methods study

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate a group-based music intervention in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Design: Parallel group randomized controlled trial with qualitative triangulation. Setting: Neurorehabilitation in primary care. Subjects: Forty-six patients with Parkinson’s disease were randomized into intervention group ( n = 26), which received training with the music-based intervention, and control group ( n = 20) without training. Interventions: The intervention was delivered twice weekly for 12 weeks. Main measures: Primary outcome was Timed-Up-and-Go subtracting serial 7’s (dual-task ability). Secondary outcomes were cognition, balance, concerns about falling, freezing of gait, and quality of life. All outcomes were evaluated at baseline, post-intervention, and three months post-intervention. Focus groups and individual interviews were conducted with the intervention group and with the delivering physiotherapists. Results: No between-group differences were observed for dual-task ability. Between-group differences were observed for Falls Efficacy Scale (mean difference (MD) = 6.5 points; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 3.0 to 10.0, P = 0.001) and for Parkinson Disease Questionnaire-39 items (MD = 8.3; 95% CI = 2.7 to 13.8, P = 0.005) when compared to the control group post-intervention, but these were not maintained at three months post-intervention. Three themes were derived from the interviews: Expectations versus Results, Perspectives on Treatment Contents, and Key Factors for Success. Conclusion: Patient-reported outcomes and interviews suggest that the group-based music intervention adds value to mood, alertness, and quality of life in patients with Parkinson’s disease. The study does not support the efficacy in producing immediate or lasting gains in dual-tasking, cognition, balance, or freezing of gait.

Effects of a Music-Based Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation on Gait and Balance in Subacute Stroke

“…A possible explanation might be related to the lack of precision in the Tinetti test to measure gait parameters and the quality of walking in the aftermath of stroke [ 14 , 31 ]. Consistently with previous literature, we found that rhythmic auditory stimulation in combination with conventional physiotherapy was not effective in improving balance [ 8 , 32 ]. Our research gave similar results for the two groups with regards to gait and fall risk, using the Timed Up&Go test, unlike other studies [ 14 , 28 , 31 , 33 ].…”

Effects of music-based movement therapy on motor function, balance, gait, mental health, and quality of life for patients with Parkinson’s disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Screening of titles and abstracts resulted in 71 articles which were used for further assessment. A total of 17 studies (18 articles) 19,20,22,23,25,[35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47] were included in this study (Figure 1). received rehabilitation training in the setting of music, like dancing, 20,22,23,25,[37][38][39][40][41][42][43]46 and walking.…”

“…The PEDro score ranged from 4 to 8, with a mean score of 6.18. Out of the 17 studies, 15 studies (16 articles) 20,22,23,25,[35][36][37][38][39][40][42][43][44][45][46][47] were considered high quality, whereas two studies 19,41 were considered low quality (Table 2).…”

“…A pooled MD of −5.44 with P = 0.002 was obtained, indicating a significantly reduced score among participants undergoing music-based movement therapy compared to control groups (Figure 2(a)). Timed Up and Go Test was reported in nine studies [35][36][37][38]40,[42][43][44]46 (twelve comparison groups). Analysis showed no heterogeneity across studies.…”

“…Three studies 22,35,42 conducted balance assessment using Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test. Analysis showed low-moderate heterogeneity across studies.…”