Tag: parkinsons disease

How Singing Therapy May Reduce Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms

Posted on by Judah

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disease of the nervous system marked by tremor, muscular rigidity, and slow movement. Onset of the disease usually starts after age 60, and there is no cure for the disease.

Currently, we treat Parkinson’s disease by managing symptoms. The available drugs can help reduce tremors, muscle stiffness, and slow movements. Patients of Parkinson’s disease can also benefit from the various therapies—physical, occupational, and speech—based on how the disease affects them.

New Study: Singing for Symptom Management

Seniors with parkinson's disease participating in therapeutic group singing session
Screen grab from a video of a therapeutic singing session led by Elizabeth Stegemöller

In a pilot study released early last month, Elizabeth Stegemöller of Iowa State University posits that singing can provide exponential benefits to seniors with Parkinson’s disease.

Stegemöller’s previous research indicated that group singing can improve respiratory control in people with the disease. This is because singing requires better muscle control in the mouth and throat, which strengthens the muscles in those areas.

This new study focused on a therapeutic singing group consisting of less than 20 people with Parkinson’s disease. Before and after each singing session, the researchers measured their vital signs, including heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels. The participants also completed a questionnaire that rated things like their happiness, anxiety, and anger levels.

Promising Results

While the study sample was small and this is just preliminary data, the results show a noted drop in anxiety and sadness after each session. Other statistically significant improvements involve:

  • Upper extremity bradykinesia (slowness of movement)
  • Tremor
  • Walking ability

These are motor symptoms that sometimes see no improvement with medication, so these results are especially promising for seniors who don’t find relief with Parkinson’s drugs.

The exact reasons singing is so beneficial are unclear, but Stegemöller and her team are delving into that question now. One of the factors they’re looking at is oxytocin—the so-called love hormone. Oxytocin is released during bonding activities, which group singing facilitates.

Says Elizabeth “Birdie” Shirtcliff, another researcher on the team:

“Part of the reason cortisol is going down could be because the singing participants feel positive and less stress in the act of singing with others in the group. This suggests we can look at the bonding hormone, oxytocin.

“We’re also looking at heart rate and heart rate variability, which can tell us how calm and physiologically relaxed the individual is after singing.”

Whatever the exact physiological cause of the improvements, we at Regency Nursing hope to see more studies done on larger samples, to show definitively whether group singing should be added to the list of clinical interventions for Parkinson’s disease.

In the meantime, we’ve already unknowingly incorporated singing therapy into our range of activities, by bringing in talented musicians to entertain our residents. When we sing together as a group, we all feel the difference.

All About Parkinson’s Disease

Posted on by Judah

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system. The disease impacts people in different ways, but it all centers on affecting movement. In this article, we’ll talk about the signs and symptoms, possible interventions, and risk factors.

Parkinson’s Symptoms

The symptoms are different for everyone, and the early signs can be so slight you don’t even notice them. In most cases, one side of the body will be affected first, and remain worse even after the other side shows symptoms as well.

Here are some of the early symptoms of the disease:

  • Tremor, or shaking, often beginning in the hand or fingers
  • Slowed movement, shorter steps, difficulty rising
  • Muscle stiffness and pain
  • Stooped posture
  • Impaired balance
  • Loss of unconscious movements, such as smiling, blinking, or swinging your arms when you walk
  • Slurred, soft, or hesitant speech
  • Changes to writing and other fine motor skills

Parkinson’s typically has five stages. It ranges from mild symptoms that don’t interfere much with day-to-day activities, to extremely debilitated

In the first two or three stages, the patient can more or less live independently, but their daily activities will become more and more taxing. By Stage Four, symptoms are much more severe, and walking becomes very difficult. In Stage Five, the the patient is usually bed-ridden and in need of care around the clock.

Parkinson’s also comes with many complications, most of which are treatable. These include:

  • Cognitive problems and thinking difficulties
  • Depression and/or anxiety
  • Difficulty chewing and/or swallowing
  • Sleep disorders
  • Incontinence or difficulty urinating
  • Constipation

Parkinson’s Risk Factors

The disease is caused by a breakdown or death of certain nerve cells in the brain. The exact reason for the damage to these neurons is unknown, but the older you are, the more likely it is to happen.

That’s why age is the main risk factor for Parkinson’s. It usually develops in middle to late life, with most cases occurring at age 60 or older.

Other risk factors are having a close family member with Parkinson’s, although the chance of developing it is still small unless many family members have the disease. Men are also more likely to develop the disease.

Some evidence exists that ongoing exposure to herbicides and pesticides may slightly increase the risk of Parkinson’s. If you’ve been a gardener for many years, you may want to talk to your doctor about any possible increased risk.

Parkinson’s Treatment

There are no specific diagnostic tests to diagnose the disease. When you come to your doctor with your symptoms, he will review your medical history, new symptoms, and do a neurological and physical exam.

He may conduct lab and imaging tests to rule out other conditions, a process that can a long time.

While there is no cure for Parkinson’s, there are medications to control symptoms, often with great effect. Some lifestyle changes, such as incorporating aerobic exercises into your daily routine. Physical therapy can also help.