ClinicalTrials.Veeva

Menu

Choral Singing for Patients With Parkinson's (CHORMORPARK)

U

University of Salzburg

Status

Unknown

Conditions

Parkinson

Treatments

Behavioral: Receptive Music Group
Behavioral: Active Singing Group

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT05379062
1_1: 2020-06-08

Details and patient eligibility

About

Study Design: Multi-centered, open, prospective, three-arm, randomized, controlled parallel-group study;

Study Participants: Adult patients with Parkinson's disease in Salzburg (and surroundings) and Vienna (and surroundings);

Planned Sample Size: Experimental Group 1 (singing in a group/active): 30 persons; Experimental group 2 (receptive music/auditive): 30 persons; Control group (treatment as usual condition): 30 persons;

Planned Duration of Study: Recruitment: spring 2022, study duration: spring 2022 to autumn 2022, evaluation phase and publication: autumn-summer 2022/2023;

Primary Objectives: Reduction of depression, anxiety and physiological stress; Measurement of the Endpoints: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale - German Version (HADS-D), Biochemical determination: cortisol and alpha-amylase (concentration measurement in saliva).

Full description

Parkinson's disease is predominantly a disease of old age. A total of about 16,000 patients suffer from Parkinson's disease in Austria. This corresponds to about 0.1% of the population over 50 years of age. In addition to motor and language deficits, psychological deficits also occur. These are usually found between the ages of 50 and 60. The lack of dopamine is the main basis of modern Parkinson therapy. The physiological part of Parkinson's disease can today be well-controlled with medication. Significantly better results can only be achieved with accompanying music-related interventions. For example, regular group singing under professional guidance seems advantageous. The music-induced, rhythmic movement associated with singing, the active posture, the more differentiated strain on the vocal apparatus and breathing compared to speaking, and last but not least, the predominantly positive affectivity show that singing is a complex, ecologically valid form of interpersonal interaction that is also effective on a psychosocial level. In short, many of the therapeutic goals relevant to people with Parkinson's disease are likely to be better achieved through this group activity. Singing together stimulates numerous physical systems as well as perception, attention and cognition. Synchronised movements have also been associated in various studies with increased pain tolerance and may be beneficial in maintaining motor performance in people with Parkinson's disease. Singing improves the immune defence of many patients according to further systematic observations. The results show clear improvements in various health indicators, also in a sustainable course. In addition, regular listening to specifically selected stimulating music, as compiled on a new CD (ISBN: 978-3-9502441-2-0) produced by the project submitter's research group, leads to increased blood flow to certain brain areas. Among other things, dopamine is released. In case of sudden blockages, the pointed rhythm of the Radetzky March, recorded on the CD, helps in a rapid way that could not be achieved with any medication in such a short time.

The aim of this randomized study is to investigate the effect of group singing on the improvement of symptoms of Parkinson's disease, depression, anxiety and stress. Furthermore, the quality of life and the course of parkinson's disease will be assessed. It must also be clarified how often choral singing can be rehearsed in a meaningful way before a weakening (tolerance) of the effect occurs and how high the patients' compliance is. To objectify this study, three groups will be randomly assigned: group one receives the group singing intervention, group two the music listening intervention and group three as a control group (treatment as usual group) receives no musical activity.

The results of the present study should be offered to the rehabilitation centres for support of Parkinson patients.

Enrollment

90 estimated patients

Sex

All

Ages

18+ years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

  • Adults with Parkinson's disease 1-4 according to Hoehn-Yahr Scale
  • Signed consent to participate in the study
  • Age >18

Exclusion criteria

  • Morbus Parkinson 5 according to Hoehn-Yahr Scale
  • Dementia
  • Aversion to music (Amusia)
  • Participation in other active music-based activities (e.g. choir singing, dancing, playing an instrument, making music, playing in an orchestra) during the study

Trial design

Primary purpose

Basic Science

Allocation

Randomized

Interventional model

Parallel Assignment

Masking

None (Open label)

90 participants in 3 patient groups

Active Singing Group
Experimental group
Description:
Active singing in a group
Treatment:
Behavioral: Active Singing Group
Receptive Music Group
Experimental group
Description:
Receptive music/auditive group
Treatment:
Behavioral: Receptive Music Group
Control Group
No Intervention group
Description:
Treatment as usual

Trial contacts and locations

2

Loading...

Central trial contact

Katarzyna Grebosz-Haring, Dr.; Günther Bernatzky, Univ. Prof.

Data sourced from clinicaltrials.gov

Clinical trials

Find clinical trialsTrials by location
© Copyright 2025 Veeva Systems