The immediate effect of listening to music on postural balance and mobility in individuals with intellectual disability

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Individuals with intellectual disability have deficits in postural balance and mobility. This study aimed to explore the effect of listening to music on postural balance and mobility in individuals with intellectual disability. Method Ten participants with intellectual disability and 10 participants with typical development performed postural balance and mobility tests [Time Up and Go (TUGT)/Ten Metre Walking (TMWT)] in three music conditions: no music, preferred music, and Mozart’s Jupiter music. Results Results revealed that listening to Mozart’s Jupiter decreased (p < 0.001) the center of pressure mean velocity values for both groups. In individuals with intellectual disability, the TUGT and the TMWT time to execution increased (p < 0.001) in the preferred music compared to the no music condition whereas the Mozart music has no significant effect (p ≥ 0.05). Conclusion Listening to Mozart’s Jupiter enhanced static postural balance, whereas listening to the preferred music impaired mobility in individuals with intellectual disability.