Impact of dance/music and meditation on the progression of Parkinson's disease with mild/ moderate severity: a single-blinded randomized controlled pilot study

Parkinson's disease (PD) significantly impairs motor and cognitive functions, reducing quality of life. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as dance/music therapy combined with meditation, may offer potential benefits in managing symptoms of PD.

A parallel, single-blinded, randomized, controlled pilot study was conducted from March to August 2023 with a six-month follow-up. Thirty patients with mild to moderate PD under 80 years and capable of participating were included. Exclusion criteria were deep brain stimulation and high fall risk. The intervention group received dance/music therapy with meditation sessions, while the control group continued regular activities. Medications remained unchanged in both groups. Primary outcomes were changes in UPDRS I-III and PDQ-39 scores. Secondary outcomes included a mini-mental state examination, Beck's Depression Inventory, Parkinson's Anxiety Scale, Questionnaire for Impulsive-Compulsive Disorders in Parkinson's Disease-Rating Scale, Berg Balance Test, Time Up and Go Test, and Parkinson's disease Questionnaire-Carer (PDQ-Carer), Zarit-Caregiver Burden Interview (ZBI).

Twenty-eight participants were analyzed, with 15 in the intervention group and 13 in the control group. Significant improvement {difference of 8 points, P = 0.013} was noted in UPDRS I-III scores in the intervention group (n = 15). PDQ-39 scores improved in the intervention group {6.82 points reduction, P = 0.0057}. Caregivers in the intervention group showed a significant decrease in PDQ-Carer (1.5 points, P = 0.008) and ZBI scores (1.0 points, P = 0.005). There were no significant changes in other secondary outcome measures.

The study's findings showed potential benefits from these non-pharmacological interventions, warranting a more extensive study.