Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and initial efficacy of large-amplitude movement while drumming to music for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Background: Exercise using large-amplitude, whole-body movements have been shown to reduce bradykinesia and improve gait and balance in people with PD. Music therapy has shown to improve perceptual timing abilities, and social, cognitive, and emotional function. Some community-based exercise programs for people with PD have begun to use whole-body drumming to music as a multimodal exercise.

Method: The 1-hour classes were designed to incorporate large-amplitude movements of moderate to high intensity, to music that was selected for rhythmic structure to facilitate the perception of timing and the urge to move. The “drums” were large exercise balls stabilized on utility tubs and the “drumsticks” were colorful plastic tuned percussion tubes. Assessments of pain (0/10 self-rating), disease (Movement Disorders Society Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale MDS-UPDRS)), functional mobility (Physical Performance Test (PPT)), gait and balance (MiniBEST), manual dexterity (9-Hole Peg test (9HP)), mood (Geriatric Depressions Scale (GDS), self-efficacy (General Self-Efficacy (GSE)), and quality of life (Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ39)) were made before, after, and one month following the 10 weekly classes.

Results: Six of the 8 participants (Hoehn & Yahr (H&Y) stages 1-4) attended all 10 classes, 2 participants missed one class each for unrelated medical appointments. One participant (H&Y 4) remained seated throughout 7 classes and by the 10^th class participated entirely from standing. There were no adverse events or falls, and no increase in reported pain. Three participants with initial chronic shoulder pain reported sustained reduction in pain (0-2/10) and sustained increase in pain-free range of motion (80-100% of normal). Disease rating, manual dexterity, balance and gait, and self-efficacy all improved at follow-up (p<.05). Improved functional mobility at posttest (p<.001) remained at follow-up, and quality of life improved at posttest (p<.01) but returned to prior levels by follow-up.

Conclusion: Weekly classes of moderate to high intensity, large-amplitude movements while drumming to music may be a feasible and safe multimodal exercise intervention for people with mild to moderately severe PD.

« Back to MDS Virtual Congress 2020

MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/feasibility-of-an-intervention-of-whole-body-drumming-to-music-in-people-with-parkinsons-disease-a-case-series/