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Parkinson DiseaseNCT05157074

Group Drum-Based Music Therapy Intervention for Parkinson's Disease/Huntington's Disease

A study testing Group Drumming Music Therapy in people with Parkinson Disease and Huntington Disease, run by Johns Hopkins University at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

Participants in this study (18-89 years) with Parkinson's disease or Huntington's disease receive drum classes twice a week for 12 weeks (24 lessons). All participants also participate in study visits for assessments before the beginning of the study, at the 6 week mark, at the 12 week mark and at the 18 week mark so… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 89 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Parkinson Disease, Huntington Disease
What is being tested?
Group Drumming Music Therapy
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
18 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
9 Jan 2019to 10 Jun 2019
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 89 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD) and Huntington's Disease (HD)
  • Ability to give written consent
  • Age 18-90
  • Clinical diagnosis of probable of clinically established Parkinson disease; or Huntington disease confirmed by genetic testing (greater than or equal to 36 CAG repeats)
  • Ability to move hands, wrists and arms safely for instrument play
  • Presence of study partner who is available for all drum lessons and study assessments
Show all 11Show fewer
  • Study Partners:
  • Ability to give written consent
  • Ability to give written consent
  • Age 18-90
  • Ability to move hands, wrists and arms safely for instrument play

Who cannot join

  • PD: Hoehn \& Yahr Stage 5 disease; Schwab \& England score 40% or lower
  • HD: Total Functional Capacity scores between 5 and 13 inclusive
  • Co-morbid diagnosis (broken bones, sprains, severe arthritis, conditions involving paresis) in the judgement of the patient's treating physician that may preclude participant's full ability to participate in the intervention group.
  • MoCA scores <17
  • Active psychosis or other condition affecting the participants' ability to safely cooperate with study procedures

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site

  • Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

    Baltimore, Maryland, 21205

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Drum-PD/HD: The Impact of Group Drum-Based Music Therapy Intervention on Quality of Life and Motor Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease and Huntington's Disease

Participants in this study (18-89 years) with Parkinson's disease or Huntington's disease receive drum classes twice a week for 12 weeks (24 lessons). All participants also participate in study visits for assessments before the beginning of the study, at the 6 week mark, at the 12 week mark and at the 18 week mark so that the investigators can assess the short and long term effects of drum classes on hand dexterity, upper extremity function and well-being.

Read the detailed description

There has been evidence that rhythm-based music therapy interventions may improve motor outcomes for patients with Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease, as well as quality of life for both patients and the patients' caregivers. DRUM-PD, a pilot study investigating the impact of West African drumming on quality of life, symptoms, motor findings, cognition, and mood in Parkinson's disease, found trends toward improvement in walking from baseline to 12 weeks and improved quality of life for patients who completed the 6 week drumming intervention. Building on this research, the investigators plan to evaluate the impact of a 12-week, twice weekly rhythm-based music therapy intervention called The Armstrong Rhythm Cycle℠, implemented by a board-certified music therapist. The investigators hypothesize that participation in 24 bi-weekly, hour-long music therapy drumming sessions will result in improved motor functioning for patients and better quality of life for patients and the patients' caregivers as compared to baseline before the intervention.

Being tested
Group Drumming Music Therapy
Keywords
group drumming, music therapy, motor function, quality of life, cognition, social and emotion, caregiver burden
Medical subject headings
Parkinson Disease, Huntington Disease, Caregiver Burden

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Group Drumming Music TherapyBehavioural

    All 24 Armstrong Rhythm Cycle™ sessions is conducted in a circle to ensure maximum line of sight for each participant. A variety of diverse percussion instruments ranging from hand drums, stick drums, shakers, and rhythm sticks are available as well as adaptive measures to address limited physical functioning. Instrument choice is dependent on ease of use for the level of the physical ability, skill development needs, and personal choice. Participants are informed that the participants free to use the same instrument for the duration of each session or to switch instruments at any time.

    Utilizing the five components of The Armstrong Rhythm Method, this protocol guides participants through three phases to achieve rhythmic skill development and group cohesion for therapeutic benefit.

Study groups in NCT05157074
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Parkinson's Disease (PD) GroupExperimentalParticipants with PD and their caregivers receive group drum classes twice a week for 12 weeks (24 lessons).
Receives: Behavioral: Group Drumming Music Therapy
Huntington's Disease (HD) GroupExperimentalParticipants with HD and their caregivers receive group drum classes twice a week for 12 weeks (24 lessons).
Receives: Behavioral: Group Drumming Music Therapy

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Changes in score on anxiety level as assessed by Neuro-QoL (patients and study partner)

    Neuro-QoL is a set of self-report measures that assess the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of adults and with neurological disorders including PD and HD. For anxiety domain, unpleasant thoughts and/or feelings related to fear (e.g., fearfulness, feelings of panic), helplessness, worry and hyperarousal (e.g., tension, nervousness, restlessness) are measured.

    All Neuro-QoL items employ five response options (e.g., 1=Not at all, 2=A little bit, 3=Somewhat, 4=Quite a bit, 5=Very much)

    *High scores indicate worse (undesirable) self-reported health.

    Measured: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 18 weeks

  2. Changes in score on depression level as assessed by Neuro-QoL (patients and study partner)

    Neuro-QoL is a set of self-report measures that assess the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of adults and with neurological disorders including PD and HD.

    For depression domain, experience of loss and feelings of hopelessness, negative mood (e.g., sadness, guilt), decrease in positive affect (e.g., loss of interest), information-processing deficits (e.g., problems in decision-making), negative views of the self (e.g., self-criticism, worthlessness), and negative social cognition (e.g., loneliness) are measured.

    All Neuro-QoL items employ five response options (e.g., 1=Not at all, 2=A little bit, 3=Somewhat, 4=Quite a bit, 5=Very much)

    *High scores indicate worse (undesirable) self-reported health.

    Measured: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 18 weeks

  3. Changes in score on upper extremity performance level as assessed by Neuro-QoL (patients and study partner)

    Neuro-QoL is a set of self-report measures that assess the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of adults and with neurological disorders including PD and HD.

    For upper extremity domain, one's ability to carry out various activities involving digital, manual and reach-related functions, ranging from fine motor to self-care (activities of daily living) are measured.

    All Neuro-QoL items employ five response options (e.g., 1=Not at all, 2=A little bit, 3=Somewhat, 4=Quite a bit, 5=Very much)

    *High scores indicate better (desirable) self-reported health.

    Measured: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 18 weeks

  4. Changes in score on lower extremity performance level as assessed by Neuro-QoL (patients and study partner)

    Neuro-QoL is a set of self-report measures that assess the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of adults and with neurological disorders including PD and HD.

    For lower extremity domain, one's ability to carry out various activities involving the trunk region and increasing degrees of bodily movement, ambulation, balance, or endurance are measured.

    All Neuro-QoL items employ five response options (e.g., 1=Not at all, 2=A little bit, 3=Somewhat, 4=Quite a bit, 5=Very much)

    *High scores indicate better (desirable) self-reported health.

    Measured: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 18 weeks

  5. Changes in score on ability to participate in social roles and activities as assessed by Neuro-QoL (patients and study partner)

    Neuro-QoL is a set of self-report measures that assess the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of adults and with neurological disorders including PD and HD.

    For the ability to participate in social roles and activities domain, degree of involvement in one's usual social roles, activities and responsibilities, including work, family, friends, and leisure are measured.

    All Neuro-QoL items employ five response options (e.g., 1=Not at all, 2=A little bit, 3=Somewhat, 4=Quite a bit, 5=Very much)

    *High scores indicate better (desirable) self-reported health.

    Measured: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 18 weeks

  6. Changes in score on satisfaction with social roles and activities as assessed by Neuro-QoL (patients and study partner)

    Neuro-QoL is a set of self-report measures that assess the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of adults and with neurological disorders including PD and HD.

    For the satisfaction with social roles and activities domain, satisfaction with involvement in one's usual social roles, activities and responsibilities, including work, family, friends, and leisure are measured.

    All Neuro-QoL items employ five response options (e.g., 1=Not at all, 2=A little bit, 3=Somewhat, 4=Quite a bit, 5=Very much)

    *High scores indicate better (desirable) self-reported health.

    Measured: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 18 weeks

  7. Changes in score on positive affect and well-being level as assessed by Neuro-QoL (patients and study partner)

    Neuro-QoL is a set of self-report measures that assess the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of adults and with neurological disorders including PD and HD.

    For positive affect and well-being domain, aspects of a person's life that relate to a sense of well-being, life satisfaction or an overall sense of purpose and meaning are measured.

    All Neuro-QoL items employ five response options (e.g., 1=Not at all, 2=A little bit, 3=Somewhat, 4=Quite a bit, 5=Very much)

    *High scores indicate better (desirable) self-reported health.

    Measured: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 18 weeks

  8. Changes in score on burden level as assessed by the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) (study partner)

    The Zarit Burden Interview, a popular caregiver self-report measure used by many aging agencies, originated as a 29-item questionnaire. The 29-item instrument is included in Zarit et al., 1980. The revised version contains 22 items. This study used 22 items.

    It is scored as either (0) never, (1) rarely, (2) sometimes, (3) quite frequently, or (4) nearly always. Items are then summed and total scores are interpreted as follows: 0 to 21 little or no burden, 21 to 40 mild to moderate burden, 41 to 60 moderate to severe burden, and 61 to 88 severe burden.

    Measured: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 18 weeks

Secondary outcomes (10)

  1. Changes in score on cognitive impairment level as assessed by the MoCA (patients)

    Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a rapid cognitive screening test that assesses cognitive performance in multiple domains including visuo-spatial and executive functions, naming, memory, attention, language, abstraction, and orientation. Scores on the MoCA range from 0 to 30:

    > 26 = normal 18-25 = mild cognitive impairment 10-17 = moderate cognitive impairment <10 = severe cognitive impairment.

    Measured: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 18 weeks

  2. Change in score on depression level as assessed by the BDI-II (patients and study partner)

    Beck-Depression inventory (BDI-II) measures characteristic attitudes and symptoms of depression. Each of the 21 items corresponding to a symptom of depression is summed to give a single score for the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II).

    There is a four-point scale for each item ranging from 0 to 3. On two items (16 and 18) there are seven options to indicate either an increase or decrease of appetite and sleep. Total score of 0-13 is considered minimal range, 14-19 is mild, 20-28 is moderate, and 29-63 is severe.

    Measured: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 18 weeks

  3. Changes in score on the daily living level as assessed by Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39) (patients)

    The Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39) assesses how often people affected by Parkinson's experience difficulties across 8 dimensions of daily living including relationships, social situations and communication. It also assesses the impact of Parkinson's on specific dimensions of functioning and wellbeing 5 point ordinal scoring system (lower scores reflect better QoL) 0 = never

    1. = occasionally
    2. = sometimes
    3. = often
    4. = always

    Measured: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 18 weeks

  4. Changes in score on patient health level as assessed by the short form (SF)-36 (patients and study partner)

    The Short Form (36) Health Survey is a 36-item, patient-reported survey of patient health.

    The SF-36 consists of eight scaled scores, which are the weighted sums of the questions in their section. Each scale is directly transformed into a 0-100 scale on the assumption that each question carries equal weight. The lower the score the more disability.

    The higher the score the less disability i.e., a score of zero is equivalent to maximum disability and a score of 100 is equivalent to no disability.

    Measured: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 18 weeks

  5. Changes in score on apathy level as assessed by Apathy Evaluation Scale (patients)

    The Apathy Evaluation Scale addresses characteristics of goal-directed behavior that reflect apathy including behavioral, cognitive, and emotional indicators (18 items).

    Items are scored on a 4-point Likert scale (not at all true, slightly true, somewhat true, very true).

    Score range: 18-72 (higher scores reflect more apathy)

    Measured: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 18 weeks

  6. Changes in score on non-motor aspects of experiences of daily living level as assessed by the Movement Disorder Society (MDS) sponsored Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) (Part 1) (patients)

    The MDS-UPDRS was developed to evaluate various aspects of Parkinson's disease including non-motor and motor experiences of daily living and motor complications. It includes a motor evaluation and characterizes the extent and burden of disease across various populations.

    Part 1 includes a total of 13 items.

    Items are scored on a 5-point Likert scale (normal, slight, mild, moderate, severe).

    Measured: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 18 weeks

  7. Changes in score on motor aspects of experiences of daily living level as assessed by the Movement Disorder Society (MDS) sponsored Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) (Part 2) (patients)

    The MDS-UPDRS was developed to evaluate various aspects of Parkinson's disease including non-motor and motor experiences of daily living and motor complications. It includes a motor evaluation and characterizes the extent and burden of disease across various populations.

    Part 2 includes a total of 13 items.

    Items are scored on a 5-point Likert scale (normal, slight, mild, moderate, severe).

    Measured: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 18 weeks

  8. Changes in score on motor examination level as assessed by the Movement Disorder Society (MDS) sponsored Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) (Part 3) (patients)

    The MDS-UPDRS was developed to evaluate various aspects of Parkinson's disease including non-motor and motor experiences of daily living and motor complications. It includes a motor evaluation and characterizes the extent and burden of disease across various populations.

    Part 3 includes a total of 18 items as well as dyskinesia related and Hoehn and Yahr stage items.

    Items are scored on a 5-point Likert scale (normal, slight, mild, moderate, severe).

    Measured: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 18 weeks

  9. Changes in score on motor complications level as assessed by the Movement Disorder Society (MDS) sponsored Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) (Part 4) (patients)

    The MDS-UPDRS was developed to evaluate various aspects of Parkinson's disease including non-motor and motor experiences of daily living and motor complications. It includes a motor evaluation and characterizes the extent and burden of disease across various populations.

    Part 4 includes a total of 6 items.

    Items are scored on a 5-point Likert scale (normal, slight, mild, moderate, severe).

    Measured: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 18 weeks

  10. Changes in score on activities of daily living level as assessed by the Schwab and England scale

    The Schwab and England ADL (Activities of Daily Living) scale is a method of assessing the capabilities of people with impaired mobility. The scale uses percentages to represent how much effort and dependence on others people need to complete daily chores. The rating may be given by a professional or by the person being tested.

    0% (fully dependent) to 100% completely independent)

    Measured: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 18 weeks

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted14 Dec 2021
  2. Study start9 Jan 2019
  3. Primary completion10 Jun 2019
  4. Study completion10 Jun 2019

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Non-randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Participants were assigned based on diagnosis, into two intervention groups 1) patients diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and the participant's study partners, 2) patients diagnosed with Huntington's disease.
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
18 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05157074
Sponsor's protocol ID
IRB00147450
Status last verified
Jun 2026
First submitted
1 Dec 2021
Last updated
30 Jun 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Pantelyat A, Syres C, Reichwein S, Willis A. DRUM-PD: The use of a drum circle to improve the symptoms and signs of Parkinson's disease (PD). Mov Disord Clin Pract. 2016 May-Jun;3(3):243-249. doi: 10.1002/mdc3.12269. Epub 2015 Dec 21.

    PubMed 27340683

  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). User Manual for the Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders (Neuro-QoL) Measures, Version 2.0, March 2015.

  • Zarit SH, Reever KE, Bach-Peterson J. Relatives of the impaired elderly: correlates of feelings of burden. Gerontologist. 1980 Dec;20(6):649-55. doi: 10.1093/geront/20.6.649. No abstract available.

    PubMed 7203086

  • Goetz CG, Tilley BC, Shaftman SR, Stebbins GT, Fahn S, Martinez-Martin P, Poewe W, Sampaio C, Stern MB, Dodel R, Dubois B, Holloway R, Jankovic J, Kulisevsky J, Lang AE, Lees A, Leurgans S, LeWitt PA, Nyenhuis D, Olanow CW, Rascol O, Schrag A, Teresi JA, van Hilten JJ, LaPelle N; Movement Disorder Society UPDRS Revision Task Force. Movement Disorder Society-sponsored revision of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS): scale presentation and clinimetric testing results. Mov Disord. 2008 Nov 15;23(15):2129-70. doi: 10.1002/mds.22340.

    PubMed 19025984

  • Peto V, Jenkinson C, Fitzpatrick R, Greenhall R. The development and validation of a short measure of functioning and well being for individuals with Parkinson's disease. Qual Life Res. 1995 Jun;4(3):241-8. doi: 10.1007/BF02260863.

    PubMed 7613534

  • Beck AT, Steer RA, Brown GK. Manual for the beck depression inventory-II.1996

  • Marin RS, Biedrzycki RC, Firinciogullari S. Reliability and validity of the Apathy Evaluation Scale. Psychiatry Res. 1991 Aug;38(2):143-62. doi: 10.1016/0165-1781(91)90040-v.

    PubMed 1754629

  • McRae C, Diem G, Vo A, O'Brien C, Seeberger L. Reliability of measurements of patient health status: a comparison of physician, patient, and caregiver ratings. Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2002 Jan;8(3):187-92. doi: 10.1016/s1353-8020(01)00009-8.

    PubMed 12039430

  • Nasreddine ZS, Phillips NA, Bedirian V, Charbonneau S, Whitehead V, Collin I, Cummings JL, Chertkow H. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment, MoCA: a brief screening tool for mild cognitive impairment. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2005 Apr;53(4):695-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2005.53221.x.

    PubMed 15817019

  • Ware JE Jr, Sherbourne CD. The MOS 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36). I. Conceptual framework and item selection. Med Care. 1992 Jun;30(6):473-83.

    PubMed 1593914

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Group Drumming Music Therapy in people with Parkinson Disease and Huntington Disease, run by Johns Hopkins University at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 11 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 30 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Changes in score on anxiety level as assessed by Neuro-QoL (patients and study partner) (time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 18 weeks). The study lists 8 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05157074, which also lists 10 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 30 Jun 2026.

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