Mental Singing Reduces Gait Variability More Than Music Listening for Healthy Older Adults and People with Parkinson Disease

Elinor C. Harrison, Adam P. Horin, Gammon M. Earhart

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Previously, we showed that internal cues (such as singing) produce similar motor benefits as external cues (such as listening to music) for people with Parkinson disease (PD). This study takes that research further by exploring how singing-either aloud or mentally-at different tempos can ameliorate gait, and it offers insight into how internal cueing techniques may enhance motor performance for older adults and people with PD. Methods: Sixty participants aged 50 years and older (30 female) were recruited; 30 had PD and 30 were healthy age-matched controls. Participants completed walking trials involving internal and external cueing techniques at 90%, 100%, and 110% of preferred cadence. The effects of different cue types and rates were assessed in a repeated-measures cross-sectional study by comparing gait characteristics (velocity, cadence, stride length) and variabilities (coefficients of variation of stride length, stride time, single support time). Results: All participants modified their cadence and stride length during cued conditions, resulting in changes in gait velocity closely reflecting expected changes based upon cue rate. External cues resulted in increased gait variability, whereas internal cues decreased gait variability relative to uncued walking. Variability decreases were more substantial during mental singing at tempos at or above preferred cadence. Discussion and Conclusions: Matching movement to one's own voice improves gait characteristics while reducing gait variability for older adults and people with PD. Optimizing the use of internal cues to facilitate movement is an important step toward more effectively meeting the needs of people with gait disorders related to aging or neurological disease. Video Abstract available for more insights from authors (see Video, Supplemental Digital Content 1, available at: http://links.lww.com/JNPT/A286).

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)204-211
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Neurologic Physical Therapy
Volume43
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2019

Keywords

  • Parkinson disease
  • aging
  • internal cues
  • rhythm
  • singing

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Mental Singing Reduces Gait Variability More Than Music Listening for Healthy Older Adults and People with Parkinson Disease'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this