Parkinson's and Music Therapy
April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month. Since people with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) are a population Maine Music & Health often works with, I thought I would share some of the ways music therapy can help these patients and some resources for you.
Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement. Symptoms, which can progress gradually, include tremors, stiffness and slowing of movements that often affect a person’s ability to walk, produce clear speech and sometimes swallow.
Typical music therapy goals for adults with PD are to improve motor function, which can include gait, or walking stride, and speech.
These goals are addressed by using rhythm, melody and movement techniques. For example, rhythmic auditory cueing is a technique in which rhythm is used to facilitate movement and improve gait. This is done by providing a uniform beat that acts as an external cue to guide a patient’s movements and has been shown to benefits gait, walking speed and stride length.
““Why is rhythm so effective? Rhythm becomes a template for organizing a series of movements, as well as combat cognitive issues that affect movement function, such as attention and focus. Rhythm helps coordinate movement, stimulate attention spans and induce relaxation.” – Parkinsons.org”
Improved speech can be targeting with vocal exercises like singing, humming and vocal warmups. This can have carry over effects on swallowing function and strength.
Patients with Parkinson’s may also experience cognitive and mental health issues. So a music therapist may have goals targeting those areas as well.
Here is a testimony from a member of our Parkinson’s Music Therapy Pilot Program at Maine Medical Center. Thanks to Polly for calling to Maine Calling to share her experience!
Resources:
The Parkinson’s Foundation is promoting its new #KnowMorePD Quiz for Parkinson’s Month. Take it here to see how much you know about the disease and learn more.
The Parkinson’s Foundation has a podcast, out every other Tuesday. Listen here.