Optimizing Gait Outcomes in Parkinson's Disease: The Effects of Musical Groove and Familiarity.

backgroundParkinson's Disease (PD) is a neurological condition that can severely impair gait, often through changes to gait parameters including stride length, velocity, and variability. Therapeutic interventions such as Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS

methodsTo address this, we explored the effects of familiarity, groove, beat perception ability, and synchronization instructions on gait in patients with PD during accelerated auditory cues. Individuals with idiopathic PD were randomized to walk freely or synchronized to music and metronome cues played 10% faster than their baseline walking cadence. Musical stimuli varied in self-reported familiarity and perceived groove and beat perception ability was assessed to classify participants as good or poor beat perceivers.

resultsOverall, high-groove music and synchronized walking elicited faster gait patterns compared to low-groove music and free walking, respectively, as demonstrated by increased gait velocity and cadence. Familiarity and beat perception ability did not significantly affect gait in individuals with PD. DISCUSSION: Altogether, our results indicate that high-groove music and synchronized walking lead to the greatest gait improvements during cueing, regardless of beat perception ability.

conclusionFuture studies and clinical interventions should consider stimulus type and synchronization instructions when implementing cueing therapies for gait dysfunction in PD in order to optimize treatment responses.