Effects of Music Therapy on Huntington's Disease

Effects of Music Therapy on Huntington's Disease
This study is currently recruiting participants.
Verified by University of Rochester, September 2005
First Received: September 12, 2005 Last Updated: April 14, 2006

History of Changes
Sponsored by:
University of Rochester
Information provided by:
University of Rochester
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
NCT00178360
Purpose
The purpose of this study is primarily to assess the ability of a music therapy program to improve holistically the psychological, somatic, and social symptoms of patients with Huntington ’s disease (HD). We hope to demonstrate the benefits of applying music therapy interventions to the management methods of HD, thus paving the way for the development of an effective music therapy program for individuals with HD.
Condition
Intervention
Phase
Huntington's Disease
Behavioral: Music Therapy
Phase I
Genetics Home Reference related topics: chorea-acanthocytosis familial paroxysmal nonkinesigenic dyskinesia Huntington disease McLeod neuroacanthocytosis syndrome
MedlinePlus related topics: Huntington's Disease Hurricanes
U.S. FDA Resources
Study Type:
Interventional
Study Design:
Educational/Counseling/Training, Non-Randomized, Open Label, Uncontrolled, Single Group Assignment, Efficacy Study
Official Title:
The Effects of Music Therapy on Depression, Chorea and Other Symptoms of Huntington's Disease
Further study details as provided by University of Rochester:
Primary Outcome Measures:
To examine the feasibility and tolerability of a treatment program of MT for subjects with HD.
Secondary Outcome Measures:
To determine if MT improves the mood and motor features of HD while improving quality of life.
Estimated Enrollment:
25
Study Start Date:
July 2004
Estimated Study Completion Date:
July 2005Detailed Description:
ABSTRACT
Background: Recent studies show that music therapy helps improve the symptomatic manifestations of Parkinson’s Disease. Few studies have looked at music therapy as a treatment for the psychiatric, cognitive and motor symptoms of patients with Huntington’s disease (HD).
Objective: To examine the feasibility and tolerability of a treatment program of music therapy for patients with Huntington’s disease. Also, to determine if music therapy improves the mood and motor features of HD while improving quality of life.
Methods: Subjects with HD were recruited to participate in a six-week study that included one individual, half-hour music therapy session and one hour-long group session per week. The music therapy protocols were adapted from the Colorado State University’s Neurological Music Therapy program and were targeted to HD symptoms including balance and posture, fine motor skills, memory and attention, vocalizations, and mood. In particular the protocols included Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS), Pattern Sensory Enhancement (PSE), and Therapeutic Instrumental Music Playing (TIMP). Primary outcome of tolerability was to be assessed by the subjects’ adherence to the therapeutic protocol, attendance, and the results of an exit survey inquiring about their feelings toward the use of music therapy in HD. A secondary outcome of the study was the change in the Unified Huntington’s Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) score between baseline and study completion.
Results: Five subjects were recruited for study participation (one female and four males). Music therapy was found to be a tolerable and feasible treatment for patients with HD (100% adherence and 98% attendance). Exit surveys demonstrated strongly positive feelings towards the music therapy treatment program in four of the five subjects (one survey was completed with contradictory answers by the subject). While there was improvement in UHDRS scores for finger tapping, pronation/supination and the Luria, these changes did not achieve statistical significance with the small sample size in this study.
Conclusions: Music therapy was well tolerated among subjects with HD in this small study. Future studies are now being planned to look at the efficacy of this intervention in a larger population of HD subjects.
Eligibility
Ages Eligible for Study:
18 Years and older
Genders Eligible for Study:
Both
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
No
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
Diagnosis of HD
Over the age of 18
Patients must be ambulatory, use of a walker or human support is acceptable
Patients must be able to communicate their thoughts and feelings
Exclusion Criteria:
Anyone without the preceding characteristics
Contacts and Locations
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00178360
Contacts
Contact: Rosemary Oliva, BM
585-273-2098
mailto:Rosemary_Oliva%40urmc.rochester.edu?subject=NCT00178360,
Contact: Olle Jane Z Sahler, MD
585-275-3935
mailto:OJ_Sahler%40urmc.rochester.edu?subject=NCT00178360,
Locations
United States, New York
University of Rochester Medical Center
Recruiting
Rochester, New York, United States, 14642
Contact: Olle Jane Z Sahler, MD 585-275-3935 mailto:OJ_Sahler%40urmc.rochester.edu?subject=NCT00178360,
Contact: Rosemary Oliva, BM 585-273-2098 mailto:Rosemary_Oliva%40urmc.rochester.edu?subject=NCT00178360,
Sub-Investigator: Bryan C Hunter, PhD
Sub-Investigator: H. Christopher Hyson, MD
Sub-Investigator: Rosemary Oliva, BM
Sub-Investigator: Kori A LaDonna, BA
Sponsors and Collaborators
University of Rochester
Investigators
Principal Investigator:
Olle Jane Z Sahler, MD
University of Rochester
More Information
Additional Information:
American Music Therapy Association Home Page
Huntington's Disease Society of America Home Page
Huntington's Disease Society of America - Upstate New York Chapter Home Page No publications provided
Study ID Numbers:
10336
Study First Received:
September 12, 2005
Last Updated:
April 14, 2006
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
NCT00178360

History of Changes
Health Authority:
United States: Institutional Review Board

Keywords provided by University of Rochester:
Huntington's Disease, Music Therapy, quality of life