Parkinson's Disease (PD)NCT07734181
Music Therapy in Parkinson's Disease
A study testing Music therapy in people with Parkinson's Disease (PD), run by Siegward -M. Elsas at 1 site in Switzerland.
Trial summary
This study aims to examine whether individual music therapy - involving the slow, gentle bowing of a string instrument, accompanied by the music therapist's singing and lyre playing - can have a relaxing and calming effect on patients with Parkinson's disease and improve anxiety, quality of life, and autonomic… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 50 to 79 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Parkinson's Disease (PD)
- What is being tested?
- Music therapy
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 50 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSwitzerland
- Study dates
- 2 Jun 2026to 2 Sep 2028
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 50 to 79 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Parkinson's disease, Hoehn and Yahr stages 1-4
- good understanding of the German language
- Signed written informed consent
Who cannot join
- Previous music therapy within the last 12 months
- Severe hearing impairment
- Manifest dementia (MoCA < 20)
- Severe physical disability
- Severe somatic or psychiatric illness
- Concurrent participation in another clinical trial targeting treatment of Parkinson's disease
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Switzerland1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Klinik Arlesheim AG
Arlesheim, Basel-Landschaft, 4144
Siegward Elsas, Dr. med.
About this study
Official title: Harmonization of Breathing Through Music Therapy and Its Impact on Anxiety, Quality of Life, and Autonomic Dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease
This study aims to examine whether individual music therapy - involving the slow, gentle bowing of a string instrument, accompanied by the music therapist's singing and lyre playing - can have a relaxing and calming effect on patients with Parkinson's disease and improve anxiety, quality of life, and autonomic dysfunction such as unstable blood pressure.
People with Parkinson's disease often struggle with anxiety, apathy, and depression, which can severely affect their quality of life. These symptoms are usually difficult to treat adequately with medication. They are frequently associated with dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system and a reduced variability of heart rate. Both are common in Parkinson's disease and can provide clues about stress and well-being. A healthy heart does not beat at completely regular intervals; instead, the time between beats constantly changes slightly. This fluctuation is called heart rate variability (HRV).
Read more
Primary study outcome will be anxiety. Motivation, depression, individual quality of life, and severity of autonomic symptoms are also assessed using validated questionnaires.
Physical study measures will be HRV, along with stability of blood pressure, intensity of tremor, ability to walk, and also electroencephalography (EEG) to assess brain activity.
A subproject will explore whether listening to emotionally evocative music can specifically influence the brain in patients with Parkinson's disease (as measured by EEG) and autonomic functions (as measured by HRV). The effectiveness of an emotional response will be measured by a questionnaire (the Geneva Emotional Music Scale).
- Conditions
- Parkinson's Disease (PD)
- Being tested
- Music therapy
- Keywords
- Parkinson's disease, Music therapy, Anthroposophical music therapy, EEG, HRV, Parkinson Anxiety Scale (PAS)
- Medical subject headings
- Parkinson Disease
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Music therapyOther
Eight weekly individual sessions of music therapy for patients with Parkinson's disease.
Part 1 - Listening to lyre music (10 minutes) Participants listen to emotionally stimulating lyre music.
Part 2 - Active playing of a string instrument (20 minutes) Participants perform slow, calm bowing of a low string instrument, the Tenor Chrotta (with a pitch range comparable to the cello), guided and supported by the singing of the music therapist.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Music therapy intervention | Experimental | Not described Receives: Other: Music therapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Parkinson Anxiety Scale (PAS)
The Parkinson Anxiety Scale (PAS) is a 12-item, Parkinson's disease-specific rating scale that measures anxiety severity across three domains: persistent anxiety, episodic anxiety, and avoidance behavior. Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating greater anxiety.
Measured: From four weeks before the first treatment (pre-baseline), immediately before the first treatment (baseline), after weeks 4 and 8 of the weekly treatment, and 4 weeks after the end of therapy (follow-up), through study completion, on average 4 months.
Secondary outcomes (7)
Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15)
The Geriatric Depression Scale-15 is a 15-item self-report questionnaire assessing depressive symptoms in older adults. Total scores range from 0 to 15, with higher scores indicating greater depression severity.
Measured: From four weeks before the first treatment (pre-baseline), immediately before the first treatment (baseline), after weeks 4 and 8 of the weekly treatment, and 4 weeks after the end of therapy (follow-up), through study completion, on average 4 months.
Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson's disease - Autonomic Dysfunction (SCOPA-AUT)
The Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson's Disease - Autonomic Dysfunction (SCOPA-AUT) is a 26-item self-report questionnaire assessing autonomic symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease. Total scores range from 0 to 69, with higher scores indicating greater autonomic dysfunction.
Measured: From four weeks before the first treatment (pre-baseline), immediately before the first treatment (baseline), after weeks 4 and 8 of the weekly treatment, and 4 weeks after the end of therapy (follow-up), through study completion, on average 4 months.
General Self-Efficacy Scale (SWE)
The General Self-Efficacy Scale is a 10-item self-report questionnaire assessing optimistic beliefs about coping with difficult demands, problem solving, and adaptation to stressful life events. Total scores range from 10 to 40, with higher scores indicating greater general self-efficacy.
Measured: From four weeks before the first treatment (pre-baseline), immediately before the first treatment (baseline), after weeks 4 and 8 of the weekly treatment, and 4 weeks after the end of therapy (follow-up), through study completion, on average 4 months.
Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES)
The Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES) is an 18-item rating scale assessing apathy. Total scores range from 18 to 72, with higher scores indicating greater apathy.
Measured: From four weeks before the first treatment (pre-baseline), immediately before the first treatment (baseline), after weeks 4 and 8 of the weekly treatment, and 4 weeks after the end of therapy (follow-up), through study completion, on average 4 months.
Schedule for the Evaluation of Individual Quality of Life (SEIQoL-Q)
The Schedule for the Evaluation of Individual Quality of Life (SEIQoL-Q) is a 24-item rating scale assessing quality of life. Items are rated from from 0% to 100%, with higher scores indicating greater quality of life.
Measured: From four weeks before the first treatment (pre-baseline), immediately before the first treatment (baseline), after weeks 4 and 8 of the weekly treatment, and 4 weeks after the end of therapy (follow-up), through study completion, on average 4 months.
Multidimensional Mood Questionnaire (MDBF)
The Multidimensional Mood Questionnaire (MDBF) is a 12-item questionnaire used to assess current well-being before and after a music therapy session. Items are assessed on a 5-point Likert Scale form 1-5, with higher scores indicating stronger moods (positive or negative).
Measured: from the beginning of a therapy session to the end of a therapy session, on average over 45 minutes
Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
The degree of heart rate variability correlates with well-being, with lower values indicating an increase in stress and anxiety.
Measured: from onset of a therapy session to the end of a therapy session (avg. 45 min.), and 4 weeks before the 1st treatment, immediately before the 1st treatment, after weeks 4 and 8 of the weekly treatment, and 4 weeks after end of therapy (average 4 months).
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted29 Jul 2026
- Study start2 Jun 2026
- Primary completion1 Sep 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion2 Sep 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Parkinson's Disease (PD)Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Siegward -M. Elsas
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Siegward -M. Elsas, Klinik Arlesheim
- Investigators
- Siegward Elsas, Dr. med., Principal investigator, Klinik Arlesheim
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07734181
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2026-00839
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 19 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 30 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided: this requirement is new to the PI and he will have to study its implications before agreeing to it
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 30 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Harmonization of Breathing Through Music Therapy and Its Impact on Anxiety, Quality of Life, and Autonomic Dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07734181
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2026-00839
- Conditions
- Parkinson's Disease (PD)
- Keywords
- Parkinson's disease, Music therapy, Anthroposophical music therapy, EEG, HRV, Parkinson Anxiety Scale (PAS)
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Siegward -M. ElsasUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 2 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Sep 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 2 Sep 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 29 Jul 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study aims to examine whether individual music therapy - involving the slow, gentle bowing of a string instrument, accompanied by the music therapist's singing and lyre playing - can have a relaxing and calming effect on patients with Parkinson's disease and improve anxiety, quality of life, and autonomic dysfunction such as unstable blood pressure.
People with Parkinson's disease often struggle with anxiety, apathy, and depression, which can severely affect their quality of life. These symptoms are usually difficult to treat adequately with medication. They are frequently associated with dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system and a reduced variability of heart rate. Both are common in Parkinson's disease and can provide clues about stress and well-being. A healthy heart does not beat at completely regular intervals; instead, the time between beats constantly changes slightly. This fluctuation is called heart rate variability (HRV).
Primary study outcome will be anxiety. Motivation, depression, individual quality of life, and severity of autonomic symptoms are also assessed using validated questionnaires.
Physical study measures will be HRV, along with stability of blood pressure, intensity of tremor, ability to walk, and also electroencephalography (EEG) to assess brain activity.
A subproject will explore whether listening to emotionally evocative music can specifically influence the brain in patients with Parkinson's disease (as measured by EEG) and autonomic functions (as measured by HRV). The effectiveness of an emotional response will be measured by a questionnaire (the Geneva Emotional Music Scale).
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Music therapy intervention | Experimental | Other: Music therapy |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 50 to 79 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Parkinson's disease, Hoehn and Yahr stages 1-4
- good understanding of the German language
- Signed written informed consent
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Previous music therapy within the last 12 months
- Severe hearing impairment
- Manifest dementia (MoCA < 20)
- Severe physical disability
- Severe somatic or psychiatric illness
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Music therapyEight weekly individual sessions of music therapy for patients with Parkinson's disease. Part 1 - Listening to lyre music (10 minutes) Participants listen to emotionally stimulating lyre music. Part 2 - Active playing of a string instrument (20 minutes) Participants perform slow, calm bowing of a low string instrument, the Tenor Chrotta (with a pitch range comparable to the cello), guided and supported by the singing of the music therapist. | Other | Music therapy intervention |
Primary outcome
Parkinson Anxiety Scale (PAS)
Time frame: From four weeks before the first treatment (pre-baseline), immediately before the first treatment (baseline), after weeks 4 and 8 of the weekly treatment, and 4 weeks after the end of therapy (follow-up), through study completion, on average 4 months.
The Parkinson Anxiety Scale (PAS) is a 12-item, Parkinson's disease-specific rating scale that measures anxiety severity across three domains: persistent anxiety, episodic anxiety, and avoidance behavior. Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating greater anxiety.
7 secondary outcomes
Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15)
Time frame: From four weeks before the first treatment (pre-baseline), immediately before the first treatment (baseline), after weeks 4 and 8 of the weekly treatment, and 4 weeks after the end of therapy (follow-up), through study completion, on average 4 months.
Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson's disease - Autonomic Dysfunction (SCOPA-AUT)
Time frame: From four weeks before the first treatment (pre-baseline), immediately before the first treatment (baseline), after weeks 4 and 8 of the weekly treatment, and 4 weeks after the end of therapy (follow-up), through study completion, on average 4 months.
General Self-Efficacy Scale (SWE)
Time frame: From four weeks before the first treatment (pre-baseline), immediately before the first treatment (baseline), after weeks 4 and 8 of the weekly treatment, and 4 weeks after the end of therapy (follow-up), through study completion, on average 4 months.
Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES)
Time frame: From four weeks before the first treatment (pre-baseline), immediately before the first treatment (baseline), after weeks 4 and 8 of the weekly treatment, and 4 weeks after the end of therapy (follow-up), through study completion, on average 4 months.
Schedule for the Evaluation of Individual Quality of Life (SEIQoL-Q)
Time frame: From four weeks before the first treatment (pre-baseline), immediately before the first treatment (baseline), after weeks 4 and 8 of the weekly treatment, and 4 weeks after the end of therapy (follow-up), through study completion, on average 4 months.
Multidimensional Mood Questionnaire (MDBF)
Time frame: from the beginning of a therapy session to the end of a therapy session, on average over 45 minutes
Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
Time frame: from onset of a therapy session to the end of a therapy session (avg. 45 min.), and 4 weeks before the 1st treatment, immediately before the 1st treatment, after weeks 4 and 8 of the weekly treatment, and 4 weeks after end of therapy (average 4 months).
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 30 Jul 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided. this requirement is new to the PI and he will have to study its implications before agreeing to it
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Siegward Elsas, Dr. med. principal investigator
Klinik Arlesheim
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Music therapy in people with Parkinson's Disease (PD), run by Siegward -M. Elsas at 1 site in Switzerland.
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 3 inclusion and 6 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 30 Jul 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 Switzerland. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Siegward Elsas, Dr. med. (+41 61 705 71 13, Siegward.Elsas@klinik-arlesheim.ch), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Parkinson Anxiety Scale (PAS) (time frame: From four weeks before the first treatment (pre-baseline), immediately before the first treatment (baseline), after weeks 4 and 8 of the weekly treatment, and 4 weeks after the end of therapy (follow-up), through study completion, on average 4 months.). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 Jul 2026.