Examining the Effect of Piano Playing Training on Fine Motor Skills in Parkinson's Patients

Examining the Effect of Piano Playing Training on Fine Motor Skills in Parkinson's Patients

Piano playing may provide an engaging and accessible setting for finger and wrist movement training. Moreover, it has been found effective for improving manual dexterity and upper-limb function in other neurologic disorders, such as stroke and additionally beneficial for cognitive and psychosocial support in Parkinson's disease. However, no study has examined the effect of piano playing on dexterity in Parkinson's disease. The aim of this study is to test the efficacy of a novel piano-based training program on fine motor function in patients with PD. Participants with Parkinson's disease will take part in an individually tailored 6-week piano training program, combining weekly supervised training sessions (6x60 min altogether), with three independent at-home weekly 30 minutes practice sessions (18x30 altogether). Participants will receive a piano MIDI keyboard for home use during the study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease patients
• Hoehn and Yahr stages I to III
• Self-reports of some dexterity difficulties

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participation in an ongoing clinical study or clinical study within 30 days prior to this study
• Atypical parkinsonian syndrome or secondary parkinsonism (e.g., due to drugs, metabolic neurogenetic disorders, encephalitis, cerebrovascular disease, or other degenerative disease), or other neurologic conditions influencing upper limb movement
• Significant psychiatric symptoms or history
• Significant or recent experience in piano playing (participants who are proficient piano players, or had studied piano for more than 3 years in the past, or for shorter periods in the last 5 years)
• Other significant fine motor skills (e.g., high proficiency in playing another musical instrument, video games, etc.)
• Mini Mental status examination (MMSE) score below 25
• Significant sensory deficits, e.g., hearing or sight impairment
• Unstable medical disorder
• Significant postural or action tremor, moderate dyskinesia