Yuanchang Chen

Could music therapy serve as a novel effective treatment for PD with fewer side-effects compared to existing treatments?

Started June 9, 2023

Abstract or project description

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive disabling neurodegenerative disorder with severe motor and nonmotor impairments induced by dopamine dysfunction. Among the current clinical treatments for Parkinson's disease including rehabilitation, surgery, and pharmacological therapies, many come with a number of side-effects or reduced efficacy after prolonged treatment. To alleviate these risks, several nonpharmacological therapies, including music therapy, are being developed as alternative treatments for patients to combat disease symptoms and progression. This literature review aims to analyze how music therapy supports the brain from a mechanistic standpoint and its effectiveness as an alternative or supplementary therapy for reducing symptoms and side effects in patients where existing treatments are less effective.