Evaluating Music Therapy with String Instruments and Singing to Improve Anxiety and Quality of Life in Parkinsons Disease Patients Aged 50 to 79

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying the effects of individual music therapy on patients with Parkinsons disease aged 50 to 79. This therapy involves slow, gentle bowing of a string instrument accompanied by singing and lyre playing by a music therapist. The study aims to evaluate whether this approach can reduce anxiety, improve quality of life, and ease autonomic symptoms like unstable blood pressure, which are common and challenging to treat in Parkinsons disease. Anxiety is the main focus, with additional assessments of motivation, depression, and severity of autonomic symptoms. Participants receive eight weekly individual music therapy sessions. Each session includes about 10 minutes of listening to emotionally stimulating lyre music, followed by 20 minutes of guided slow bowing on a low string instrument called the Tenor Chrotta. This therapy is provided by a music therapist who supports the participant with singing. The study also explores how listening to emotionally evocative music affects brain activity and autonomic functions. During the study, participants undergo various assessments including questionnaires measuring anxiety, depression, motivation, quality of life, and autonomic dysfunction. Physical measures include heart rate variability, blood pressure stability, tremor intensity, walking ability, and brain activity via electroencephalography EEG. These evaluations occur before treatment, during weekly sessions, and after therapy ends, spanning about four months. The study monitors participants closely to understand the therapys impact on their well-being.

Music Therapy in Parkinson's Disease