What side effects are associated with this type of intervention?

The most common treatments for Parkinson's Disease include dopaminergic therapies such as levodopa (often combined with carbidopa), dopamine agonists, and MAO-B inhibitors. Levodopa can cause nausea, dizziness, headache, confusion, hallucinations, and orthostatic hypotension. Dopamine agonists may lead to compulsive behaviors, sleep disturbances, and similar side effects as levodopa but often less severe. MAO-B inhibitors can cause mild side effects like insomnia and nausea. Non-pharmacological treatments, such as music and rhythm-based therapies, have shown promise in improving motor function and mood with minimal side effects, primarily enhancing quality of life and reducing symptoms like depression and anxiety.

What prior FDA approvals exist?

The FDA has approved several medications for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease, including dopaminergic therapies such as levodopa (often combined with carbidopa), nonergot dopamine agonists like pramipexole, ropinirole, and rotigotine, and MAO-B inhibitors such as rasagiline and selegiline. While these medications primarily address motor symptoms, there is growing interest in non-pharmacological treatments like music and rhythm-based therapies. Studies have shown that activities such as playing classical guitar can improve motor function, mood, and quality of life in Parkinson's patients, suggesting a complementary role to traditional pharmacotherapy.

What other types of research exist?

Promising, novel alternatives to Classical Guitar Training for Parkinson's Disease patients include Argentine Tango, which has been shown to improve motor function and quality of life, and other music-based movement therapies. Additionally, multidisciplinary care models, telemedicine, and mindfulness-based interventions are gaining traction as effective nonpharmacological treatments for PD.

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Behavioural Intervention

Classical Guitar for Parkinson's Disease

N/A

Recruiting

Led By Christopher Adams, MS, MD

Research Sponsored by University of Washington

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Be older than 18 years old

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks

Awards & highlights

Study Summary

This trial aims to find out if playing classical guitar can help improve motor function, mood, and quality of life in Parkinson's disease patients.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for individuals aged 50-90 with Parkinson's disease diagnosed by a specialist. It's not suitable for professional musicians, those who can't physically play guitar or follow instructions, anyone currently in physical therapy, or unable to attend all study sessions.Check my eligibility

What is being tested?

The study tests if learning classical guitar before physical therapy improves motor skills, mood, and life quality in Parkinson’s patients compared to starting with physical therapy then learning guitar.See study design

What are the potential side effects?

Since this trial involves music and exercise rather than medication, side effects are minimal but may include muscle soreness or fatigue from playing the guitar and participating in physical therapy.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Outcome measures can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary outcome measures

Change in the motor subscore of the Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Motor Subscale

Secondary outcome measures

Change in American Parkinson's disease Association symptom tracker score

Change in Apathy evaluation scale total score

Change in Beck Depression Inventory-II

+3 more

Trial Design

2Treatment groups

Active Control

Group I: Guitar then physical therapyActive Control1 Intervention

Subjects will learn classical guitar then have physical therapy sessions.

Group II: Physical therapy then guitarActive Control1 Intervention

Subjects will have physical therapy sessions then learn classical guitar

Do I qualify?Apply below to find out

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.

Mechanism Of Action

Side Effect Profile

Prior Approvals

Other Research

Common treatments for Parkinson's Disease (PD) include dopaminergic therapies such as levodopa, dopamine agonists, and MAO-B inhibitors. Levodopa is converted to dopamine in the brain, replenishing the diminished levels of this neurotransmitter. Dopamine agonists mimic dopamine by stimulating dopamine receptors, while MAO-B inhibitors prevent the breakdown of dopamine, thereby increasing its availability. These treatments aim to alleviate motor symptoms by enhancing dopaminergic activity. Music and rhythm-based therapies, like classical guitar training, may complement these treatments by engaging motor and cognitive pathways, potentially improving motor function, mood, and quality of life for PD patients. This holistic approach is significant as it addresses both the neurological and psychological aspects of the disease.

Argentine tango in Parkinson disease.

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

University of WashingtonLead Sponsor

1,751 Previous Clinical Trials

1,840,188 Total Patients Enrolled

Christopher Adams, MS, MDPrincipal InvestigatorUniversity of Washington

Media Library

Classical Guitar (Behavioural Intervention) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT05917704 — N/A

Parkinson's Disease Research Study Groups: Guitar then physical therapy, Physical therapy then guitar

Parkinson's Disease Clinical Trial 2023: Classical Guitar Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT05917704 — N/A

Classical Guitar (Behavioural Intervention) 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT05917704 — N/A

~21 spots leftby Jun 2025

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