Music Therapy for Parkinson's

Family Practice News, August 15, 2000

Active music therapy consisting of improvised singing and playing musical instruments improved motor and emotional function in patients with Parkinson's disease.

In a randomized study of two groups of 16 patients each, those receiving music therapy in weekly sessions over a 3-month period achieved better results than those receiving physical therapy Music therapy led to significant improvements in bradykinesia, performance of activities of daily living, emotional well-being, and quality of life. Physical therapy achieved significant results only in rigidity.

The improvements with music therapy lasted the duration of the 3-month treatment period but were not evident at 2 month follow-up (Psychosom. Med. 62[3]:386-93, 2000).

"Patients participating in music therapy sessions displayed a considerable improvement in quality of life ... despite no change in parkinsonian and systemic functioning," said Dr. Claudio Pacchetti and his colleagues at the University of Pavia (Italy).