The Mozart effect combined with specific kinetic treatment in patients with Parkinson’s disease

Abstract

Introduction & objectives: Although controversial, the Mozart effect, consisting of an improvement in cognitive abilities in healthy persons, has started to be studied in the case of patients with various neurological, even neurodegenerative diseases (dementia, treatment-refractory epilepsy). There are few data on the Mozart effect in Parkinson’s disease, but the positive results reported for other neurological pathologies have led us to study this subject. The aim of this study is to compare the results of the Mozart effect associated with specific kinetic treatment in the rehabilitation of Parkinson’s disease and the effect of standard kinesiotherapy, results reflected in the impact on the degree of disability, emotional state and quality of life. Material and method: This was a prospective case-control study, comprising patients with Parkinson’s disease, Hoehn & Yahr stages I-III, included in a motor neurorehabilitation program through the project “The power of hope for patients with Parkinson’s disease” Cluj-Napoca. The patients were assigned to two groups, a control group with specific physiotherapy and the other group receiving the same specific kinetic treatment associated with the Mozart effect, for 2 hours daily, over 14 consecutive days. The patients were assessed using the Schwab & England scale (for the degree of dependence) and the PHQ-9 scale (for depression) before and after therapy. Results: After 2 weeks of therapy, the patients in the study group had much more obvious, statistically significant improvements in both scores. Conclusions: Mozart’s music, as an adjuvant intervention to specific kinetic treatment in patients with Parkinson’s disease, had a beneficial effect, ameliorating the degree of disability and emotional status.