Many music therapists who work with persons with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) use music for gait training and volitional movement training. A new meta-analysis was completed on music-facilitated movement in PD.

de Dreu et al (2012) gathered research involving music-based movement methods. This was inclusive of music cueing, music therapy, and dance therapy.  They identified 6 studies that met their criteria. Within this study, they clearly indicate their methodology used for gathering and analyzing study data.

Results indicated that there were significant improvements for gait-related interventions, but not dance interventions. There were no significant effects found for any other measures, including the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Score.

I think that it is exciting that music therapy research was identified in this study, with indications of effectiveness. Also, what I really like about meta-analyses are the reference list. In a good meta-analysis, the authors have done the work for you – finding and critically evaluating research. After reading the article, you can go to the reference list to see the articles they included. In the case of this study, I found an article that I was not familiar with that uses music therapy for gait in Parkinson’s (see below)…

Reference:

de Dreu, M.J., van der Wilk, A.S., Poppe, E., Kwakkel, G., & van Wegen, E.E. (2012). Rehabilitation, exercise therapy and music in patients with Parkinson’s disease: a meta-analysis of the effects of music-based movement therapy on walking ability, balance and quality of life. Parkinsonism Relat Disord., 18 Suppl 1, S114-9. PMID: 22166406

Other Article using Music Therapy:

Pacchetti C, Mancini F, Aglieri R, Fundarò C, Martignoni E, Nappi G. (2000). Active music therapy in Parkinson’s disease: an integrative method for motor and emotional rehabilitation. Psychosom Med. 2000 May-Jun;62(3):386-93. PMID: 10845352