A presentation to the Tri-State Chapter of Parkinson's Wellness, Northern Kentucky support group 9/16/13.

1. P R E S E N T E D B Y M I M I S I N C L A I R , M M , M T - B C
& M E G A N B R E W E R , M T - B C
M U S I C T H E R A P Y S E R V I C E S , L L C
MUSIC THERAPY
AND
PARKINSON’S DISEASE

2. WHAT IS MUSIC THERAPY?
• An allied health profession like speech therapy and
occupational therapy
• Board-certified music therapists have completed a
minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Therapy,
a six-month clinical internship, and passed the
national board certification exam
• Music therapists use music intentionally to meet an
individual’s social, psychological, physical and
spiritual needs
• Client is involved in actively making music, and
NO PREVIOUS MUSICAL TRAINING IS NECESSARY

3. SYMPTOMS OF PD
ADDRESSED IN MUSIC THERAPY
1) Tremor
2) Muscular rigidity
3) Slowness and poverty of movement (bradykinesia
or hypokinesia)
4) Postural instability
5) Mood changes
6) Speech/language impairments

4. COMMON MUSIC THERAPY GOALS
• Maintain executive functions and attention
• Increase speech intelligibility, pitch, loudness
• Maintain existing skills and activities of daily living
• Maintain muscle strength and flexibility
• Decrease fall risk
• Enhance social interactions with family and care
staff
• Alleviate feelings of isolation, loneliness, anxiety,
and depression

5. MUSIC THERAPY INTERVENTIONS
• Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS) uses rhythmic
cueing to improve gait velocity, cadence, and
stride length.
• Program of 3 times per week for 3 weeks in home
showed significant increase in walking speed which
was maintained for 3-4 weeks.
• DEMONSTRATION: WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING

6. MUSIC THERAPY INTERVENTIONS
• Rhythmic Speech Cuing
• Therapeutic Singing
• Oral Motor and Respiratory Exercises
• Vocal Intonation Therapy
• Studies have shown increase in speech intelligibility
and vocal intensity as a result of music therapy
interventions

7. MUSIC THERAPY INTERVENTIONS
• Therapeutic Instrumental Music Playing
Provides relief from tremors
• Hand drums: Come join the circle
• Paddle drums: Tandem drumming

8. MUSIC THERAPY INTERVENTIONS
• Music-Assisted Relaxation
• Stress is a response to change. Biologically, our
bodies work to maintain homeostasis. Our systems
oppose change with every means possible. We can
use our mind to assist the body maintain its internal
balance.
• Autogenic Relaxation: Angels Sleep

9. OUTCOMES
• Music provides structured environment for practicing executive function
skills and attentional skills, and can transfer into nonmusical activities
(MEFT & MACT)
• Music has helped clients achieve success in controlling speech rate and
enhancing intelligibility, increasing vocal intensity, and practicing
respiration and pitch (RSC, VIT, TS)
• Music assists PD patients in synchronizing to rhythmic stimuli gait
movements and improving walking patterns, posture, cadence, and
symmetric muscle activation (RAS)
• Music cues functional hand and arm movements and may help reduce
tremors for a short time. (PSE & TIMP)
• Group music therapy can promote positive and successful experiences
while interacting with others

10. QUESTIONS?
IF TIME ALLOWS,
CLOSE WITH SHOW ME THE WAY TO GO HOME

11. RESOURCES
Davis, W., Gfeller, K., & Thaut, M. (2008). An introduction to music therapy theory and
practice. Silver Spring: American Music Therapy Association, Inc.
Pacchetti, C., Aglieri, R., Mancini, F., Martignoni, E., & Nappi, G. (1998). Active music
therapy and Parkinson’s Disease: Methods. Functional Neurology (13)1, 57-67.
Thaut, M., McIntosh, K., McIntosh, G., & Hoemberg, V. (2001). Auditory rhythmicity
enhances movement and speech control in patients with Parkinson’s Disease.
Functional Neurology, 16, 163-172.
Magee, W., Brumfitt, S., Freeman, M., & Davidson, J. (2006). The role of music therapy in
an interdisciplinary approach to address functional communication in complex
neuro-communication disorders: A case report. Disability and Rehabilitation, 28,
1221-1229.
Pacchetti, C., Mancini, F., Aglieri, R., Fundaro, C., Martignoni, E., & Nappi, G. (2000).
Active music therapy in Parkinson’s Disease: An integrative method for motor
and emotional rehabilitation. Psychosomatic Medicine, 62, 386-393.
Thaut, M, & McIntosh, G. (1999). Music therapy in mobility training with the elderly: A
review of current research. The Care Management Journals, 1, 71-74.