Piano playing may provide an engaging and accessible setting for finger and wrist movement training. Moreover, it has been found effective for improving manual dexterity and upper-limb function in other neurologic disorders, such as stroke and additionally beneficial for cognitive and psychosocial support in Parkinson's disease. However, no study has examined the effect of piano playing on dexterity in Parkinson's disease. The aim of this study is to test the efficacy of a novel piano-based training program on fine motor function in patients with PD. Participants with Parkinson's disease will take part in an individually tailored 6-week piano training program, combining weekly supervised training sessions (6x60 min altogether), with three independent at-home weekly 30 minutes practice sessions (18x30 altogether). Participants will receive a piano MIDI keyboard for home use during the study.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
3
Receives the piano training
Tel Aviv University
Tel Aviv, Israel
Box and block test
Number of blocks that can be moved over a barrier using the hand / arm in one minute
Time frame: First meeting, last meeting (after 6 weeks)
9 Hole peg test
Time taken to insert 9 pegs into holes and then remove them
Time frame: First meeting, last meeting (after 6 weeks)
Synergy index
Calculated from a force ramp production task using the fingers with force sensors
Time frame: First meeting, last meeting (after 6 weeks)
Movement Disorder Society - Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) motor parts II (patient questionnaire) - parts 2.4 to 2.7 and III (motor examination) - parts 3.3 and 3.4
Standard questionnaire used in Parkinson's disease. Higher scores indicate more impairment. Maximum score for each part is 4, so overall for the 6 parts the maximum score is 24.
Time frame: First meeting, last meeting (after 6 weeks)
Quantitative Digitography - Average strike duration
Measure of speed and variability of key presses on a piano - mean of the time the key is pressed
Time frame: First meeting, last meeting (after 6 weeks)
Quantitative Digitography - Coefficient of variation strike duration
Measure of speed and variability of key presses on a piano - coefficient of variation of the time the key is pressed
Time frame: First meeting, last meeting (after 6 weeks)
Quantitative Digitography - Average interval between strikes (in seconds)
Measure of speed and variability of key presses on a piano - average time between subsequent key presses
Time frame: First meeting, last meeting (after 6 weeks)
Quantitative Digitography - Coefficient of variation of interval between strikes
Measure of speed and variability of key presses on a piano - coefficient of variation of the time between subsequent key presses
Time frame: First meeting, last meeting (after 6 weeks)
Quantitative assessment of piano performance progress
Measurement of improvement in playing the piano - the teacher (rater) will give a score (between 0 and 5) for the level of piano playing of the participant, where 0 is no ability to play and 5 is the ability to play the pieces from the workbook (a beginner's level piano book) perfectly.
Time frame: First meeting, last meeting (after 6 weeks)
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.