Researchers are working out to find about the efficacy of the musical rhythms for treating Parkinson’s disease. The research being conducted at the Methodist Neurological Institute, if found positive will be of immense help and could be a better alternative for treating the patients.
Studies already have shown that music therapy can have a greater impact than physical therapy on Parkinson’s patients, but Dr. Ron Tintner, a neurologist at the Methodist NI, is studying the use of different rhythms to facilitate movement in people with the debilitating disease.“We already know that rhythm can make people move. The question is, ‘Are there particular rhythms that work better for these patients?’” said Tintner, co-director of the Movement Disorders Clinic at the NI. Tintner is also a participating physician in Methodist’s Center for Performing Arts Medicine program.
The first phase of this trial, supported by a grant from The GRAMMY Foundation® Grants Program, will study a group of patients without Parkinson’s disease and determine what rhythms most stimulate them. Once determined, these rhythms will be tested on a group of Parkinson’s disease patients to determine their response.
“Over the course of a year, we want to determine which acoustic stimuli will help Parkinson’s patients move and function better. Ultimately, the goal would be to create a device, perhaps similar to a personal music device that would be tailored to each Parkinson’s patient’s needs,” he said.
Source: Newswise
