Vibroacoustic Therapy in Parkinsonian Patients. A Complementary Approach to Improve Rehabilitation Outcome

Abstract

Background: Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a chronic progressive neurodegenerative disorder with motor and non-motor symptoms. Rehabilitation represents an adjuvant intervention to pharmacological and surgical therapy. Our study aim was to investigate the effectiveness of the Vibroacoustic Therapy (VAT) according to the Metodo Magic Music combined with conventional Training (Tr) versus Tr alone in improving motor symptoms and postural control in PD patients. Methods: Twenty-four patients with idiopathic PD were enrolled. They were randomly assigned to the Tr-VAT or the Tr group. Total intervention time was 40 min (Tr) and 60 min (Tr-VAT) 3 times a week for 3 months. Both groups carried out at baseline and follow-up clininetric scales and tests to assess clinical outcome. Speed of postural transitions and gait parameters (endurance and comfortable and fast speed) have been measured. Results: Follow-up evaluation showed in PD patients from the Tr-VAT group as compared to those from the Tr group an improvement of postural control assessed with Berg Balance Scale (p = 0.054) and Timed-Up and Go test (TUG) test (p = 0.058). Moreover, significant (p < 0.05) differences between groups were found for comfortable gait speed (p = 0.004) and speed of postural changes - from right side to supine (p = 0.03), from supine to right and left side (p = 0.01), from supine to prone (p = 0.002) and supine to sitting (p = 0.005), respectively. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated the effectiveness of VAT as complementary treatment with conventional rehabilitation approaches, by improving mobility, agility and motor flexibility in PD patients.