Using music therapy to assess progression in Parkinson's Disease
A Study of the Efficacy of IAMT as an Assessment Tool for Prediction of Progression of Parkinson's Disease
This study is testing whether music therapy can help track changes in movement and thinking skills in people with Parkinson's Disease compared to healthy older adults.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Ages | 50 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Wilfrid Laurier University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Waterloo, Ontario) |
| Trial ID | NCT05971459 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study examines the effectiveness of Improvised Active Music Therapy (IAMT) as a novel tool for assessing cognitive and motor progression in individuals with Parkinson's Disease. Participants will undergo a series of standardized evaluations, including functional, cognitive, and motor assessments, followed by a 30-minute IAMT session. The study aims to correlate variations in music performance with mobility and cognitive parameters, while also exploring participants' experiences through qualitative interviews. A total of 50 older adults, including 25 with Parkinson's Disease and 25 healthy controls, will be involved in this mixed-method, single-blinded comparison at the Conrad Institute for Music Therapy Research.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals aged 50 and older with a clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease who can communicate in English and walk independently.
Not a fit: Patients with other neurological disorders or significant cognitive impairments may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a new method for early detection and monitoring of Parkinson's Disease progression.
How similar studies have performed: While the use of music therapy in neurological rehabilitation is gaining interest, this specific approach using IAMT for Parkinson's Disease assessment is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Participants must be at least 50 years old, of any gender and location, and have a clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease (PD). * Participants should be able to understand and communicate in English. * Participants should be capable of walking independently for a distance of 80 meters, with or without the use of a gait aid (e.g., walker, cane). * Participants should be able to sit independently for 30 minutes at a time. * Participants should be willing to play on a drum-set. * Participants should NOT be deemed cognitively impaired, as indicated by a score of greater than 24 out of 30 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA). Exclusion Criteria: * Individuals who are unable to understand or communicate in English. * Individuals with any other neurological disorder that has residual motor deficits (e.g., epilepsy, multiple sclerosis). * Individuals who are using psychotropic medications that can affect motor performance (e.g., neuroleptics/anti-psychotics, anti-convulsants, and benzodiazepines). * Individuals who have experience as a musician or are currently learning to play an instrument.
Where this trial is running
Waterloo, Ontario
- Wilfrid Laurier University — Waterloo, Ontario, Canada (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Demian Kogutek, PhD
- Email: dkogutek@wlu.ca
- Phone: +1 548-889-3623
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.