Music and Brain Stimulation

Assessing the Use of Music and Brain Stimulation in Parkinson's

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Parkinson's disease (PD) is a debilitating disorder with motor and cognitive symptoms, including gait (or walk) disturbances, which are related to falls. Traditional treatments, including pharmacotherapy and deep brain stimulation, improve motor symptoms, but have limited effects on gait impairments, and also have side effects that can worsen gait deficits. There is evidence that Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS) through music improves gait, as does transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a type of non-invasive brain stimulation. Therefore, this study aims to understand how brain stimulation can influence movement, especially when combined with music.

Healthy young adults 18 to 40 years old

Healthy older adults 50+ years old

Adults diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease

Who can participate in this study?

 

To participate, you must be at least 18 years old and have normal hearing and vision.

Eligibility criteria for healthy population:
Healthy adults with an age range of 18-40 OR 50-80 years old, with no history of serious brain trauma (such as involving extended loss of consciousness, severe cognitive and physical impairments, and a higher risk of long-term disability), and being physically, visually, and cognitively competent enough to perform the study procedures

Eligibility criteria for Parkinson's Disease participants:
Have a definite diagnosis of PD, have no history of serious brain trauma (such as involving extended loss of consciousness, severe cognitive and physical impairments, and a higher risk of long-term disability), and being physically, visually, and cognitively competent enough to perform the study procedures.

Exclusion criteria:
If any of the following conditions apply, you should not participate:
The presence of skin disorders or sensitivities on the head, metallic implants in the head or neck, history of head/brain trauma or injury, history of seizures or epilepsy, use of medication that alters seizure threshold, adverse reactions to previous tDCS or similar brain stimulation techniques, and inability to provide contact to the head scalp.

What is involved?

In this study, you will:
- Complete some questionnaires (demographic questions, music rating scales).
- Participate in baseline walks and walks while listening to music.
- Receive tDCS, a safe and non-invasive method of stimulating specific brain areas, while walking.
- Complete some music tests on beat perception.

The study consists of 2 sessions, spaced 2-7 days apart. The first session lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours, and the second session about 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes. Compensation is provided at the rate of 5 CAD per 30 minutes.

Principal Investigator & Posting Dates

Principal Investigator: Jessica Grahn
Study posted on: July 10th, 2024
Recruitment open until: December 20th, 2024

Who can I contact to learn more about this study?

For more information about this study please contact:
 Marina Emerick
mdeoliv4@uwo.ca

 

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