Abstract
This study explored the viability and efficacy of integrating cadence-matched, salient music into a walking intervention for patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Twenty-two people with PD were randomised to a control (CTRL, n = 11) or experimental (MUSIC, n = 11) group. MUSIC subjects walked with an individualised music playlist three times a week for the intervention period. Playlists were designed to meet subject's musical preferences. In addition, the tempo of the music closely matched (±10–15 bpm) the subject's preferred cadence. CTRL subjects continued with their regular activities during the intervention. The effects of training accompanied by “walking songs” were evaluated using objective measures of gait score. The MUSIC group improved gait velocity, stride time, cadence, and motor symptom severity following the intervention. This is the first study to demonstrate that music listening can be safely implemented amongst PD patients during home exercise.
Highlights
The gait disturbances that characterise Parkinson’s disease (PD) have been associated with increased fall risk, diminished mobility [1, 2], loss of independence [1, 3], and reduced quality of life [4, 5]
Thirty-three PD patients were enrolled into the study; complete data collected from twenty-two subjects were used in final analysis
The MUSIC group walked with decreased velocity (F[10] = 25.413, P = .001, Effect size (ES) = .718; Figure 3(a)), stride time (F[10] = 8.646, P = .015, ES = .464; Figure 3(b)), stride length (F[10] = 30.325, P < .001, ES = .752; Figure 3(c)), and cadence (F[10] = 10.688, P = .008, ES = .517; Figure 3(d)) when walking in the dual task condition
Summary
The gait disturbances that characterise Parkinson’s disease (PD) have been associated with increased fall risk, diminished mobility [1, 2], loss of independence [1, 3], and reduced quality of life [4, 5]. Mobility impairments and fall risk amongst PD patients are further exacerbated when patients are engaged in a secondary task [6,7,8,9,10,11], such as talking whilst walking. This phenomenon, known as dual task interference, is considered a common contributing factor to falls in the elderly, especially those with movement disorders and/or dementia [12]. Even though the use of music at home during exercise may be considered beneficial and highly desirable, safety remains a major concern for patients
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