Music acts as a specific stimulus to obtain motor and emotional responses by combining movement and stimulation of different sensory pathways. Click the link above to learn more.\u00a0 Thus says Gina Shaw, a health and medical writer for Web MD.\u00a0 This is an excerpt of a research study conducted in Italy:<\/p>\n
BACKGROUND: Modern management of Parkinson\u2019s disease (PD) aims to obtain symptom control, to reduce clinical disability, and to improve quality of life. Music acts as a specific stimulus to obtain motor and emotional responses by combining movement and stimulation of different sensory pathways. We explored the efficacy of active music therapy (MT) on motor and emotional functions in patients with PD.<\/p>\n
METHODS: This prospective, randomized, controlled, single-blinded study lasted 3 months. It consisted of weekly sessions of MT and physical therapy (PT). Thirty-two patients with PD, all stable responders to levodopa and in Hoehn and Yahr stage 2 or 3, were randomly assigned to two groups of 16 patients each. We assessed severity of PD with the Unified Parkinson\u2019s Disease Rating Scale, emotional functions with the Happiness Measure, and quality of life using the Parkinson\u2019s Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire. MT sessions consisted of choral singing, voice exercise, rhythmic and free body movements, and active music involving collective invention. PT sessions included a series of passive stretching exercises, specific motor tasks, and strategies to improve balance and gait.<\/p>\n
RESULTS: MT had a significant overall effect on bradykinesia as measured by the Unified Parkinson\u2019s Disease Rating Scale (p < .034). Post\u2013MT session findings were consistent with motor improvement, especially in bradykinesia items (p < .0001). Over time, changes on the Happiness Measure confirmed a beneficial effect of MT on emotional functions (p < .0001). Improvements in activities of daily living and in quality of life were also documented in the MT group (p < .0001). PT improved rigidity (p < .0001).<\/p>\n
CONCLUSIONS: MT is effective on motor, affective, and behavioral functions. We propose active MT as a new method for inclusion in PD rehabilitation programs.<\/p>\n
Authors: Claudio Pacchetti, MD, Francesca Mancini, MD, Roberto Aglieri, Cira Fundar\u00f2, MD, Emilia Martignoni, MD and Giuseppe Nappi, MD.<\/p>\n
From the Parkinson\u2019s Disease and Movement Disorders Centre, Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico C. Mondino, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Music acts as a specific stimulus to obtain motor and emotional responses by combining movement and stimulation of different sensory pathways. Click the link above to learn more.\u00a0 Thus says Gina Shaw, a health and medical writer for Web MD.\u00a0 This is an excerpt of a research study conducted in Italy: BACKGROUND: Modern management of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[9],"tags":[47],"yoast_head":"\n