Music and Movement

02/06/2026

"...an assistant research professor in the Department of Neurology in the University of Colorado School of Medicine, recently published the protocols for her study evaluating the effects on Parkinson’s patients of a specific type of music-based rehabilitative therapy called neurologic music therapy. The therapy uses specific combinations of rhythm and movement to “reprogram” certain frequencies in the brain."

03/25/2025

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-02-tunes-high-tempo-music-easier-beneficial.html
Makes sense but for those that need it spelled out:
This study shows that listening to music at a higher tempo "reduces the perceived effort involved in exercise and increases its benefits..."We found that listening to high-tempo music while exercising resulted in the highest heart rate and lowest perceived exertion compared with not listening to music," explained Professor Luca P. Ardigò of the University of Verona in Italy."

With the start of the new year, gyms are at their busiest and many people are trying to establish a workout routine to improve their health. Getting an edge by making exercise easier and more effective could be the difference between success and guiltily returning to the warm embrace of the couch. W...

02/29/2024

Mick Jones- guitarist and songwriter in the band Foreigner. Went public with his diagnosis in 2024.

02/29/2024

Richard Lewis always made me laugh through the years. Rest in peace, brother.

02/29/2024

02/28/2024

So Foreigner's Mick Jones is publicly out as a Parkinson brother.

Foreigner founder and guitarist Mick Jones has revealed that he is battling Parkinson's disease. Jones opened up about the disabling disease's diagnosis in a statement released on social media.

06/11/2023

From Reader's Digest Canada, an article about just how lives have changed with music therapy:
"...Like everyone taking part in the session, Cameron, 71, has Parkinson’s disease, and this drumming circle—known as Rx 4 Rhythm—is designed to help strengthen her coordination. “My tremor is on my left side, so learning things with my left hand is difficult,” she says. “But it’s really good to get this regular rhythm going—it gives you a feeling of overcoming a problem....The Rx 4 Rhythm drumming circle, meanwhile, came out of a 2015 study that showed that Parkinson’s patients had improved their ability to walk after six weeks of drumming practice.”
Amazing stuff.

The benefits of music therapy are being embraced by modern medicine, ranging from boosting the immune system to relieving stress and anxiety.

05/24/2023

I know by now it should be a no-brainer but more evidence is never a bad thing. Published on Parkinson's News Today website:
"A 12-week virtual music therapy program was found to reduce apathy and depression among people with Parkinson’s disease — and to help ease feelings of burden for their caregivers, a new study reported...Group music therapy is an effective treatment for apathy in PD [Parkinson’s disease] and may improve mood,” the researchers wrote. Both patients and caregivers were invited to join in the weekly online music sessions. Subjectively, over one-third of people with PD reported increased interest in activities, and over half of the PD participants either restarted an old hobby or started a new one by the end of the study,” the team wrote, adding that “the post-intervention satisfaction survey also revealed high levels of satisfaction among caregivers...”

Link to the study in the Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/08919887231176755

A 12-week virtual music therapy program was found to reduce apathy and depression among people with Parkinson's disease in a new study.

05/22/2023

From Augusta, GA and 11 Alive comes a story of a graduate and pageant winner who wants to continue the research she did at Augusta University:
"...“My community service initiative is neurodegenerative disease,” she said. “At Augusta University, I did a lot of Parkinson’s disease research, published a few papers. It was an amazing experience to be on the science side of medicine as well as the community engagement side...There’s a lot of music therapy that I’ve been looking into that really helps with people expressing themselves and it helps with brain function,” she said..."

Augusta University graduate Alexis Ezeanii is Miss Garden City and a physician-scientist in training.

05/06/2023

Drury University is located in Springfield, Missouri. Drumming is great way to work both sides of your brain and allows you to vent any lingering frustrations! From the article:
"...The Resonate Empowerment Drumming Group, which takes place every Thursday morning in Congregational Hall, uses music as a tool to provide a supportive and fun environment for Parkinson’s patients working to improve their neurological and motor skills...Nancy Anderson, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease a few years ago, has seen significant benefits through the program...The drumming and music therapies are a big part of my progress, even down to the support bonds that are formed in these groups...”

SPRINGFIELD, Mo., May 5, 2023 – Drury University’s Center for Music Therapy and Wellness is making a real difference in the lives of Parkinson’s Disease patients. The Resonate Empowerment Drumming […]

05/06/2023

From indiaeducationdiary.com:
"A group of University of Calgary undergraduate students is hoping to convince dozens of other students to participate in OpenDH. The educational program allows learners to gain experience with advanced wearable technology, contribute to science...Exercises are developed using gold standard protocols and can be done to music. For Parkinson’s patients, suddenly freezing while walking is the most frequent cause of fall and injury. Research has shown that music combined with movement can help the brain stop the body from freezing. To keep people engaged in exercise, students created playlists of motivational songs exclusively from the inductees of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame..."

Agroup of University of Calgary undergraduate students is hoping to convince dozens of other students to participate in OpenDH. The educational program allows learners to gain experience with advan…

04/14/2023

From Europe's Parkinson's Life: "Music teacher and artist Cecilia Gordon discusses how Parkinson’s has impacted her relationship with art [and music]– and shares how others can incorporate the craft into their lives...I attend local art groups where I get a lot of encouragement from the people around me. I also attend musical concerts. Creating art helps me to relax, which makes me happy and benefits my personal wellbeing. I play music, which satisfies the soul. I listen to poetry being read aloud because it is rhythmically musical. My advice to others would be to go out and explore new avenues. There is so much to see and learn. Parkinson’s is tough, but I have been touched by the incredible kindness of people who have helped me along my way."

Music teacher and artist Cecilia Gordon tells us how Parkinson’s disease has impacted her relationship with art – and how the craft has personally benefitted her.