Music therapy to treat Parkinson’s disease

Newswise — (April 19, 2006)—Research is under way at the Methodist Neurological Institute (NI) to determine which musical rhythms are more therapeutic for Parkinson’s disease 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.

About the Methodist Neurological Institute

The Methodist Neurological Institute houses the practice and research activities of the departments of neurology, neurosurgery and neuroradiology of The Methodist Hospital. The close collaboration between these departments offers patients the most advanced treatment options currently available. The mission of the NI is to advance the discovery of the origins, mechanisms and treatment of neurological disease and to provide comprehensive care for patients with disorders and injuries of the brain and spinal cord.

The Methodist Hospital is one of the nation’s largest private, non-profit general hospitals. Methodist is primarily affiliated with Weill Medical College of Cornell University and New York Presbyterian Hospital. The hospital is also affiliated with the University of Houston.