Group Drum-Based Music Therapy Intervention for Parkinson's Disease/Huntington's Disease
Condition: Parkinson Disease; Huntington Disease
MeSH terms: Parkinson Disease; Huntington Disease
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Participants in this study (18-89 years) with Parkinson's disease or Huntington's disease
      receive drum classes twice a week for 12 weeks (24 lessons). All participants also
      participate in study visits for assessments before the beginning of the study, at the 6 week
      mark, at the 12 week mark and at the 18 week mark so that the investigators can assess the
      short and long term effects of drum classes on hand dexterity, upper extremity function and
      well-being.
    

Detailed description: 
      There has been evidence that rhythm-based music therapy interventions may improve motor
      outcomes for patients with Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease, as well as quality
      of life for both patients and the patients' caregivers. DRUM-PD, a pilot study investigating
      the impact of West African drumming on quality of life, symptoms, motor findings, cognition,
      and mood in Parkinson's disease, found trends toward improvement in walking from baseline to
      12 weeks and improved quality of life for patients who completed the 6 week drumming
      intervention. Building on this research, the investigators plan to evaluate the impact of a
      12-week, twice weekly rhythm-based music therapy intervention called The Armstrong Rhythm
      Cycle℠, implemented by a board-certified music therapist. The investigators hypothesize that
      participation in 24 bi-weekly, hour-long music therapy drumming sessions will result in
      improved motor functioning for patients and better quality of life for patients and the
      patients' caregivers as compared to baseline before the intervention.
    

Intervention name(s): Group Drumming Music Therapy
Intervention type(s): Behavioral
Intervention description(s): All 24 Armstrong Rhythm Cycle™ sessions is conducted in a circle to ensure maximum line of sight for each participant. A variety of diverse percussion instruments ranging from hand drums, stick drums, shakers, and rhythm sticks are available as well as adaptive measures to address limited physical functioning. Instrument choice is dependent on ease of use for the level of the physical ability, skill development needs, and personal choice. Participants are informed that they are free to use the same instrument for the duration of each session or to switch instruments at any time.
Utilizing the five components of The Armstrong Rhythm Method, this protocol guides participants through three phases to achieve rhythmic skill development and group cohesion for their therapeutic benefit.
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: Participants were assigned based on diagnosis, into two intervention groups 1) patients diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and their study partners, 2) patients diagnosed with Huntington's disease.
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: group drumming; music therapy; motor function; quality of life; cognition; social and emotion; caregiver burden