High-intensity Group Vocal Exercise to Improve Laryngeal Function in Patients With Parkinson Disease

NCT ID: NCT03263793

Last Updated: 2018-08-27

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 18 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2017-08-22
• Study Completion Date: 2017-12-13

Brief Summary

The overall goal of this T2 translational research project is to pilot an interdisciplinary high-intensity group singing program to improve speech and swallowing in patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD) and to explore the impact of this program on quality of life (QOL). This research has three specific aims: 1) Determine the effects of a high-intensity group vocal training program on vocal function and laryngeal structure; 2) Determine the transference of vocal training to laryngeal aspects of swallowing; 3) Determine the effect of patient-reported changes in Quality of Life (QOL) as the result of participation in a group vocal training program.

Twenty patients with Parkinson Disease will be recruited from the Fresco Institute for Parkinson's & Movement Disorders to participate in a 12-week vocal training program. The program will train participants using maximum vocal function exercises targeting vocal deficits specific to PD. Choral singing therapy sessions will be conducted once weekly with daily home practice exercises based on principles that have been successful in other intensive PD vocal exercise programs.

Detailed Description

Deterioration of speech and swallowing is a hallmark of Parkinson Disease (PD). There is emerging evidence that choral singing benefits people with PD across a range of modalities. Despite the increasing popularity of "Parkinson's choirs", rigorous study of these benefits is lacking. There is a large body of evidence that intense vocal training improves speech and communication for people with PD. However, the intense training places high demands on clinical and patient resources and, due to its individualized approach, lacks the potential psycho-social benefits of a group intervention.

It is hypothesized singing training program will increase vocal loudness, range of articulation, and prosodic variation during speech. Additionally, given existing evidence for neuroplastic transference of voice-related interventions to swallowing function, laryngeal components of swallowing function will also improve post-intervention. Finally, investigators expect to see improvements in patient-reported QOL measures corresponding with improved speech and laryngeal function and/or as the result of group interaction.

All participants will complete a standardized battery of assessment pre- and post- treatment including acoustic and aerodynamic assessment of voice, dynamic magnetic resonance imaging of speech and swallowing, and videofluoroscopic evaluation of swallowing. The outcome of this work will be a rigorous understanding of how choral singing therapy can positively impact the voice, swallowing function, and quality of life for patients with PD.

Conditions

Parkinson Disease

Study Design

• Allocation Method: NA
• Intervention Model: SINGLE_GROUP
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Behavioral vocal training

12-week vocal training program will use maximum vocal function exercises targeting vocal deficits specific to Parkinson Disease.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Choral (group) singing therapy sessions

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Choral (group) singing therapy sessions will be conducted once weekly and daily home practice exercises will be assigned. All vocal exercises are based on principles that have been successful in other intensive Parkinson Disease vocal exercise programs.

Interventions

Choral (group) singing therapy sessions

Choral (group) singing therapy sessions will be conducted once weekly and daily home practice exercises will be assigned. All vocal exercises are based on principles that have been successful in other intensive Parkinson Disease vocal exercise programs.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Confirmed diagnosis of Stage One, Two or Three on the Hoehn and Yahr Staging of Parkinson's Disease
• Current swallowing severity of normal, mild, or moderate without aspiration
• Stable regimen of anti-PD medication for >30 days

Exclusion Criteria

• Prior voice and/or swallowing therapy related to PD
• History of head and neck cancer
• History of oropharyngeal or laryngeal surgery
• Current or former smoker (quit < 5 years)

• Maximum Eligible Age: 100 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

NYU Langone Health

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Aaron Johnson, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

NYU Langone Health

Locations

New York University School of Medicine

New York, New York, United States

Countries

United States

Other Identifiers

17-00323

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id