Neurologic music therapy for inhibitory control in parkinson’s disease: Intervention protocol for a feasibility study

Introduction: Impairments in inhibitory control are common and directly impact the quality of life in individuals with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Non-pharmacological interventions for this population primarily focus on motor outcomes, with cognitive aspects often overlooked. Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT), a model integrating neuroscience and music therapy techniques, may have significant potential for cognitive rehabilitation. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of a home-based NMT intervention, focusing on primary outcomes related to the intervention’s feasibility and secondary outcomes concerning cognition and quality of life in individuals with PD. Method: Five (n = 5) individuals diagnosed with PD will be recruited. Participants will receive three 30-minute NMT sessions per week over four weeks. Pre- and post-intervention assessments will be conducted. The assessment protocol will include protocol questionnaires (sociodemographic/clinical and music therapy); tests for inclusion criteria; feasibility assessment through recruitment rate, retention rate, dropout rate, protocol acceptability, and researcher report; and evaluation of clinical outcomes with the Stroop Color-Word Test, Hayling Test, Go/No-Go Task, Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39), and Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS/UPDRS). Discussion: This study will provide essential insights for planning and conducting a larger clinical trial, offering important data on recruitment, acceptability, evaluation, intervention design, and musical techniques for inhibitory control.