Group Drum-Based Music Therapy Intervention for Parkinson's Disease/Huntington's Disease

Drum-PD/HD: The Impact of Group Drum-Based Music Therapy Intervention on Quality of Life and Motor Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease and Huntington's Disease

Participants in this study (18-89 years) with Parkinson's disease or Huntington's disease receive drum classes twice a week for 12 weeks (24 lessons). All participants also participate in study visits for assessments before the beginning of the study, at the 6 week mark, at the 12 week mark and at the 18 week mark so that the investigators can assess the short and long term effects of drum classes on hand dexterity, upper extremity function and well-being.

There has been evidence that rhythm-based music therapy interventions may improve motor outcomes for patients with Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease, as well as quality of life for both patients and the patients' caregivers. DRUM-PD, a pilot study investigating the impact of West African drumming on quality of life, symptoms, motor findings, cognition, and mood in Parkinson's disease, found trends toward improvement in walking from baseline to 12 weeks and improved quality of life for patients who completed the 6 week drumming intervention. Building on this research, the investigators plan to evaluate the impact of a 12-week, twice weekly rhythm-based music therapy intervention called The Armstrong Rhythm Cycle℠, implemented by a board-certified music therapist. The investigators hypothesize that participation in 24 bi-weekly, hour-long music therapy drumming sessions will result in improved motor functioning for patients and better quality of life for patients and the patients' caregivers as compared to baseline before the intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

Patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD) and Huntington's Disease (HD)

• Ability to give written consent
• Age 18-90
• Clinical diagnosis of probable of clinically established Parkinson disease; or Huntington disease confirmed by genetic testing (greater than or equal to 36 CAG repeats)
• Ability to move hands, wrists and arms safely for instrument play
• Presence of study partner who is available for all drum lessons and study assessments

Study Partners:

• Ability to give written consent
• Ability to give written consent
• Age 18-90
• Ability to move hands, wrists and arms safely for instrument play

Exclusion Criteria:

• PD: Hoehn & Yahr Stage 5 disease; Schwab & England score 40% or lower
• HD: Total Functional Capacity scores between 5 and 13 inclusive
• Co-morbid diagnosis (broken bones, sprains, severe arthritis, conditions involving paresis) in the judgement of the patient's treating physician that may preclude participant's full ability to participate in the intervention group.
• MoCA scores <17
• Active psychosis or other condition affecting the participants' ability to safely cooperate with study procedures