From the abstract:: “Deficits in executive functions (e.g., attention, processing speed) in patients with PD result in gait interference, deficits in emotional processing, loss of functional capacity (e.g., intellectual activity, social participation), and reduced quality of life. ” (for people with Parkinson’s Disease.
The authors note that music listening interventions can help with gait and freezing, but that the effecct of actual musical training on executive functions mentioned above is unknown.
“In piano training, fine motor finger movements activate the cerebellum and supplementary motor areas (SMA) , thereby exercising the CTC network. We hypothesize that exercising the CTC network through music training will contribute to enhanced executive functions. Previous research suggested that music training enhances cognitive performance (i.e., working memory and processing speed) in healthy adults and adults with cognitive impairments. ”
” Previous research suggested that music training enhances cognitive performance (i.e., working memory and processing speed) in healthy adults and adults with cognitive impairments. This review and rationale provides support for the use of music training to enhance cognitive outcomes in patients with Parkinson’s Disease (PD).”
The evidence revewed in the article “presents a compelling case for music training to improve executive functioning for adults with PD.
“First, music training activates the cerebellar-thalamocortical network (CTC) network providing a rerouting to activate executive functions through fine motor activity .”
The authors “hypothesize that exercising the CTC network through music training will contribute to enhanced cognitive performance.
The Movement Disorder Society (MDS) values the identification and intervention of cognitive impairment in adults with PD, and sees it as part of essential care—a need yet to be met.”
“Cognitive interventions that include repeated practice exercising the CTC network through sensorimotor integration may assist patients with PD. While research has shown that music training enhances cognitive performance (i.e., working memory and processing speed) in healthy older adults, there is a need to extend the benefits of music training to patients with PD.”
bob's brain: living well with a movement disorder and other comorbidities 