Benefits of rhythm training via a tablet serious game in Parkinson's disease

Abstract

Introduction Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by rhythm disorders, which manifest across motor domains (orofacial, manual and gait), and in perceptual tasks. These disorders may result from a general dysrhythmia, linked to impaired central mechanisms supporting rhythm processing. Rhythmic auditory cueing has been used to improve motor symptoms, with a particular focus on gait, with variable effects. However, evidence is scant on the effects of training rhythmic abilities apart from gait, and their transfer to other domains. Here we report the results of a clinical trial testing the effect of rhythm training, delivered via a tapping serious game on tablet, across motor domains. Material and method Patients with PD played an at-home serious game training rhythm abilities (n = 10), a non-rhythmic video game (n = 11), or no game (n = 12, control group), for 6 weeks. We tested rhythm abilities in orofacial, manual and gait motor domains, and rhythm perception before and after the training period. Results Only patients who received the rhythm training improved their orofacial and manual performance (i.e., lowered motor variability). This beneficial effect was linked to an improvement of rhythm perception due to the rhythm training. Discussion These findings provide evidence supporting the use of technology-driven interventions aiming at alleviating rhythm-related motor deficits in PD such as hypokinetic dysarthria or gait impairment in complement to more traditional therapeutic approaches.