Barta K1, Da Silva C2, Tseng S-C2, Roddey T2
1University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, Physical Therapy, Austin, United States, 2Texas Woman's University, Physical Therapy, Houston, United States
Background: The use of external cueing for individuals with Parkinson disease (PD) has been shown to improve gait. These cues are delivered in the form of Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS) or Patterned Sensory Enhancement (PSE). RAS is in the form of a repetitive beat and PSE is the use of harmony and melodies to impact movement and quality. The Synchronized Optimization Auditory Rehabilitation (SOAR) tool is a new approach created to simulate PSE techniques through a software system. Music has the ability to change individuals' perception about themselves and their environment. Despite the extensive research on mobility with auditory cues in the PD population, there has been little research that addresses the emotional aspect of music and the preferred method of stimulation when used during ambulation.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to answer the question, “Do participants report a higher level of satisfaction and motivation when using the SOAR tool as compared to RAS or no auditory cue during ambulation?”
Methods: Twenty people with PD and three caregivers participated. This qualitative study used coding and triangulation to assess the participants' and caregivers' perception of the SOAR tool and RAS. The investigator asked open-ended questions during a face-to-face interview. Each interview session occurred within five days after the participant completed gait training using RAS and the SOAR tool. The focus of the questions was on self-perception of functional change during walking, enjoyment while using each intervention (SOAR tool and RAS), and feelings about which would more likely be used for independent exercise. All interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. The transcriptions were emailed or mailed, depending on participants' preference, for member checking to confirm that the report accurately portrayed their perceptions and intended meaning.
Results: All 20 participants preferred music to RAS and felt music most impacted walking. The two emerging themes were auditory effects and utility. Within these themes were subthemes of motor and nonmotor impact and issues within the testing and home environment.
Conclusion(s): The simplicity of RAS has made it an ideal choice for PTs when implementing auditory cues during therapy sessions. The findings indicate that the music added not only perceived motor benefits to spatiotemporal gait parameters, but also benefits to balance, coordination and continuity of movement. The responses of the participants and their caregivers aligned with what is typically observed during walking with auditory cues in the presentation of longer step lengths, faster velocity, and improvements in stability and overall quality of movement. Another aspect of the music that could make it superior to RAS is its ability to be more motivational. A participant stated in an interview that “the music motivates people to move”, indicating music's potential to help with compliance for home exercise programs.
Implications: The perception was that music contributed to improved spatiotemporal parameters, balance, coordination, motivation, and happiness. Music could be the catalyst to stimulate motivation as well as motion and the simplicity of the SOAR tool could allow for easier use by therapists when auditory cues are appropriate.
Keywords: Parkinson's disease, auditory cue, perception
Funding acknowledgements: This work was not funded by any sources.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to answer the question, “Do participants report a higher level of satisfaction and motivation when using the SOAR tool as compared to RAS or no auditory cue during ambulation?”
Methods: Twenty people with PD and three caregivers participated. This qualitative study used coding and triangulation to assess the participants' and caregivers' perception of the SOAR tool and RAS. The investigator asked open-ended questions during a face-to-face interview. Each interview session occurred within five days after the participant completed gait training using RAS and the SOAR tool. The focus of the questions was on self-perception of functional change during walking, enjoyment while using each intervention (SOAR tool and RAS), and feelings about which would more likely be used for independent exercise. All interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. The transcriptions were emailed or mailed, depending on participants' preference, for member checking to confirm that the report accurately portrayed their perceptions and intended meaning.
Results: All 20 participants preferred music to RAS and felt music most impacted walking. The two emerging themes were auditory effects and utility. Within these themes were subthemes of motor and nonmotor impact and issues within the testing and home environment.
Conclusion(s): The simplicity of RAS has made it an ideal choice for PTs when implementing auditory cues during therapy sessions. The findings indicate that the music added not only perceived motor benefits to spatiotemporal gait parameters, but also benefits to balance, coordination and continuity of movement. The responses of the participants and their caregivers aligned with what is typically observed during walking with auditory cues in the presentation of longer step lengths, faster velocity, and improvements in stability and overall quality of movement. Another aspect of the music that could make it superior to RAS is its ability to be more motivational. A participant stated in an interview that “the music motivates people to move”, indicating music's potential to help with compliance for home exercise programs.
Implications: The perception was that music contributed to improved spatiotemporal parameters, balance, coordination, motivation, and happiness. Music could be the catalyst to stimulate motivation as well as motion and the simplicity of the SOAR tool could allow for easier use by therapists when auditory cues are appropriate.
Keywords: Parkinson's disease, auditory cue, perception
Funding acknowledgements: This work was not funded by any sources.
Topic: Neurology: Parkinson's disease
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
Ethics committee: Institutional Review Board
Ethics number: 1org0009210
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
