Parkinsonics: A Controlled Study of Group Singing in Parkinson Disease

Johns Hopkins University

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 2

Conditions: Parkinson Disease

Treatments: Behavioral: Group singing; Behavioral: Facilitated Discussion Group

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02753621

IRB00065196

Details and patient eligibility

About

The overall objective of this study is to observe the effect of group Vocal performance training and performance experience on patients' reported symptoms and quality of life. The effectiveness of PD medications varies significantly in different patients depending on their symptoms. By using music-based interventions to improve symptoms that may be inadequately treated by medications, the investigators hope to improve quality of life in PD patients. "Parkinsonics: A controlled study of group singing for quality of life and voice outcomes in Parkinson disease" (PD) is a controlled crossover behavioral intervention study of once weekly choral classes for patients with idiopathic PD (progressing toward a group performance) and once weekly discussion/support group meetings.

Enrollment: 32 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 89 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of idiopathic PD based on UK Parkinson's Disease Society Brain Bank Clinical Diagnostic Criteria for PD (Hughes et al. 1992).

Exclusion criteria

• Patients unable to consent to the study.
• Patients unable or unwilling to participate in weekly singing classes for 12 weeks, or unwilling to perform in a concert setting.
• Patients with active psychiatric disturbances (agitation, active hallucinations).

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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32 participants in 2 patient groups

Singing Intervention

Experimental group

Description:

Twelve weekly group singing classes lasting 60-90 minutes under the direction of a professional choir director and a social worker with a music background.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Group singing

Discussion/Support Group Intervention

Active Comparator group

Description:

Twelve weekly 60-90 minute discussion groups led by a facilitator trained in discussion group facilitation; occurring at the same time and in the same location (next door) as experimental intervention (group singing).

Treatment:

Behavioral: Facilitated Discussion Group