How Music Therapy Can Help People with Parkinson's

If you or a loved one has received a diagnosis for Parkinson's, you might be looking for options to help you (or the person you are caring for) manage some of the symptoms with techniques beyond just traditional medicines.

Here at BrightStar Care, we provide home care for people with many medical conditions - including Parkinson's. This has given us an appreciation and understanding of what affects the lives of these patients and what options are available to help manage the condition.

Our Assistant Director of Nursing, Kirsten McGlynn has considerable experience in Parkinson's from clincial trials that she participated in earlier in her career; and she has familiarity with this condition. We interviewed her recently for our podcast series "Keep Me Home Longer" where we discussed Parkinson's in episode 2. (The podcast episode is available on your favorite podcast platform like Spotify or Apple Podcasts (just search for "Keep me home longer").

As we discovered from that episode and from subsequent episodes and conversations with experts from across the industry, there is room for optimism and hope, even with non-medical methods. There are numerous approaches that can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

We are learning as we go from these experts and I want to talk about a recent learning from one of these conversations.

One such optimistic approach is Music Therapy. We have many reports of this tool being extremely effective in restoring speech and swallowing, helping improve the quality of life for patients, helping them to stay in their homes longer with a better quality of life.

Here is what experts in Music Therapy for Parkinson's have told us (and there will be more coming in future blog posts in the form of direct conversations with these experts). Watch this space.

1. Enhanced Motor Skills and Coordination

One of the biggest benefits we've seen of music therapy for people with Parkinson’s is improvement in motor skills and coordination. Because music has a unique rhythm and tempo, it can aid in timing and sequencing of movements, which are often affected in Parkinson’s patients. Rhythmic cues help patients initiate and maintain movement. This can lead to improvements in walking speed, stride length, and overall mobility.

2. Enhancing Speech and Communication

Parkinson’s often affects speech, making it difficult for individuals to communicate effectively. Music therapy can improve speech and voice quality through vocal exercises, singing, and rhythmic speech patterns. These activities strengthen the muscles involved in speech production. They enhance breath control. And they improve articulation. This leads to people with Parkinson's being able to re-establish connections and conversations.

3. Improving Swallowing Abilities

Music therapy can, I discovered somewhat unexpectedly, improve the ability to swallow. Specific vocal exercises and rhythmic techniques can strengthen the muscles involved in swallowing. Singing, in particular, requires controlled breathing and muscle engagement. This can help maintain and improve the motor control needed for effective swallowing. This reduces the risk of choking and also helps with overall better oral function, resulting in a safer and more comfortable eating experience.

4. Alleviating Emotional Distress

Living with Parkinson’s can take an emotional toll. Music therapy provides an emotional outlet, helping to reduce stress and enhance mood. Engaging with music can stimulate the release of Dopamine, which is typically deficient in individuals with Parkinson’s. This contributes to a sense of accomplishment and reduces emotional stress.

5. Enhancing Cognitive Function

Music therapy can be like doing crosswords as it engages various parts of the brain simultaneously. Activities such as learning new songs and playing musical instruments can stimulate cognitive processes and improve mental acuity.

6. Fostering Social Connections

Isolation and loneliness are issues for many people with Parkinson’s. Music therapy sessions are often conducted in group settings, like choirs. This creates opportunities for social interaction and connection. Other group activities can include drumming circles and dance classes. These create a sense of community and belonging.

If you or a loved one is living with Parkinson’s, consider exploring music therapy as a supplementary method to manage the condition. We have learned through working with experts in the community that it can significantly improve the quality of life for people living with it.

We will have an exciting episode coming up in our next episode of our podcast, Keep Me Home Longer, where we get to talk with Karen Skipper, of Tremble Clefs Orange County and a member of her choir, Darlene. Watch for that episode.