Researchers Suggest Music App as Potential Therapy for Parkinson’s

Music App Could Offer Therapy for Parkinson’s, Researchers Suggest

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

A €3 million international study, led by researchers at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, is exploring the potential of music as a therapeutic tool for Parkinson’s disease.

The EU-funded BeatHealth project has identified a link between musical rhythm and physiological changes in the body, leading researchers to believe that music-based interventions could help individuals manage the condition.

Dr. Tomas Ward, the study’s software development leader, explained: “Music influences our autonomic nervous system, enhancing sensations of well-being at a subconscious level. This has led behavioral scientists to an exciting conclusion—music and rhythm could serve as powerful therapeutic tools.”

He highlighted that advancements in mobile technology and sensor innovation over the past decade now allow such therapies to be accessible anytime, empowering patients to integrate them into their daily routines. “Our research could significantly impact how we approach exercise and conditions like Parkinson’s disease,” he added.

This study builds upon findings by Italian neurologist Daniele Volpe, who discovered a connection between Irish set dancing and improved movement in Parkinson’s patients. Volpe made his breakthrough after observing the effects of rhythmic dancing at a céilí in Feakle, Co. Clare, in 2010.