Synchronization during Improvised Active Music Therapy in clients with Parkinson’s disease

ABSTRACT Introduction The purpose of this manuscript is to report on the finding of asynchrony measures during Improvised Active Music Therapy (IAMT) sessions with individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Method In this single subject multiple baseline design across subjects, the study measured asynchrony of three right-handed participants with PD while playing uninterrupted improvised music on a simplified electronic drum-set. During baseline, the music therapist played rhythms with low to moderate density of syncopation. During treatment, the music therapist introduced rhythms with moderate to high density of syncopation. The music content of the sessions was transformed into digital music using Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI). MIDI data were analyzed to determine participants’ and the music therapist’s asynchrony (on acoustic guitar) during baseline and treatment conditions. Results The results of this manuscript suggest that all participants exhibited total negative mean asynchrony and in that the music therapist exhibited total positive mean asynchrony scores within and across conditions. All participants also demonstrated score fluctuation in left foot and right foot as compared to upper extremity within and across conditions. Discussion Overall, participants showed their ability to synchronize to the music produced by the music therapist throughout conditions by demonstrating anticipation. Also, participants demonstrated some difficulty while synchronizing with lower extremity. Music therapy clinicians might benefit from knowledge of their own tempo inconsistencies to be able to synchronize with clients more effectively. More research is required to identify commonalities and differences in music synchronization measures between individuals with PD and healthy individuals during IAMT sessions.