ParkinSong: a therapeutic singing intervention for people with Parkinson’s
ParkinSong is a therapeutic group singing intervention developed by music therapists and speech pathologists. The interdisciplinary program targets voice loudness and is designed to improve communication and social connectedness specifically for individuals with Parkinson’s. Each ParkinSong session incorporates high effort vocal and respiratory tasks, speech exercises, group singing, and social communication opportunities.
Pilot study findings have shown improvements in speech loudness, expiratory pressure and voice-related quality of life, with potential also to address depression, anxiety and stress in people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers.
Publications
Tamplin, J., Morris, M. E., Marigliani, C., Baker, F. A., Noffs, G. & Vogel, A. P. (2020). Outcomes of a 12-month controlled trial of therapeutic singing groups in Parkinson’s disease. Journal of Parkinson’s Disease. https://doi.org/10.3233/JPD-191838
Tamplin, J., Morris, M. E., Marigliani, C., Baker, F. A. & Vogel, A. (2019). A controlled trial of singing-based therapy for Parkinson’s disease. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, 33(6), 453-463. https://doi.org/10.1177/1545968319847948
Media Stories
2020
Channel 7 – House of Wellness Season 4, Episode 9 – Story on ParkinSong research
2017
Parkinson’s Victoria Media Story