Music therapy with string instrument and singing for people with Parkinson's disease
Tests calming music therapy on anxiety and quality of life in Parkinson's disease.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Music Therapy in Parkinson's Disease
Key facts
- Where
- Arlesheim, SwitzerlandSee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 50 and 79 years old?
Source: NCT07734181, who can take part
Where in Switzerland
- Klinik Arlesheim AGArlesheim, SwitzerlandTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Siegward -M. Elsas
- Trial code
- NCT07734181
- Record updated
- 30 July 2026
- Original description
This study aims to examine whether individual music therapy - involving the slow, gentle bowing of a string instrument, accompanied by the music therapist's singing and lyre playing - can have a relaxing and calming effect on patients with Parkinson's disease and improve anxiety, quality of life, and autonomic dysfunction such as unstable blood pressure.Read full original descriptionShow less
Harmonization of Breathing Through Music Therapy and Its Impact on Anxiety, Quality of Life, and Autonomic Dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease
This study aims to examine whether individual music therapy - involving the slow, gentle bowing of a string instrument, accompanied by the music therapist's singing and lyre playing - can have a relaxing and calming effect on patients with Parkinson's disease and improve anxiety, quality of life, and autonomic dysfunction such as unstable blood pressure.
People with Parkinson's disease often struggle with anxiety, apathy, and depression, which can severely affect their quality of life. These symptoms are usually difficult to treat adequately with medication. They are frequently associated with dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system and a reduced variability of heart rate. Both are common in Parkinson's disease and can provide clues about stress and well-being. A healthy heart does not beat at completely regular intervals; instead, the time between beats constantly changes slightly. This fluctuation is called heart rate variability (HRV).
Primary study outcome will be anxiety. Motivation, depression, individual quality of life, and severity of autonomic symptoms are also assessed using validated questionnaires.
Physical study measures will be HRV, along with stability of blood pressure, intensity of tremor, ability to walk, and also electroencephalography (EEG) to assess brain activity.
A subproject will explore whether listening to emotionally evocative music can specifically influence the brain in patients with Parkinson's disease (as measured by EEG) and autonomic functions (as measured by HRV). The effectiveness of an emotional response will be measured by a questionnaire (the Geneva Emotional Music Scale).
Inclusion: Parkinson's disease, Hoehn and Yahr stages 1-4; good understanding of the German language; Signed written informed consent.
Exclusion: Previous music therapy within the last 12 months; Concurrent participation in another clinical trial targeting treatment of Parkinson's disease; Severe hearing impairment; Manifest dementia (MoCA < 20); Severe somatic or psychiatric illness; Severe physical disability.