Amplifying walking activity in Parkinson’s disease through autonomous music-based rhythmic auditory stimulation: randomized controlled trial
Abstract Habitual moderate intensity walking has disease-modifying benefits in Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, the lack of sustainable gait interventions that collectively promote sufficient intensity, daily amount, and quality of walking marks a critical gap in PD rehabilitation. In this randomi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-04-01
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| Series: | npj Parkinson's Disease |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41531-025-00952-x |
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| author | F. Porciuncula J. T. Cavanaugh J. Zajac N. Wendel T. Baker D. Arumukhom Revi N. Eklund M. B. Holmes L. N. Awad T. D. Ellis |
| author_facet | F. Porciuncula J. T. Cavanaugh J. Zajac N. Wendel T. Baker D. Arumukhom Revi N. Eklund M. B. Holmes L. N. Awad T. D. Ellis |
| author_sort | F. Porciuncula |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Habitual moderate intensity walking has disease-modifying benefits in Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, the lack of sustainable gait interventions that collectively promote sufficient intensity, daily amount, and quality of walking marks a critical gap in PD rehabilitation. In this randomized controlled trial (clinicaltrials.gov#: NCT05421624, registered on June 6, 2022), we demonstrate the effectiveness of a real-world walking intervention delivered using an autonomous music-based digital rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) system. In comparison to an active-control arm (N = 20) of moderately intense brisk walking, the autonomous RAS system used in the experimental arm (N = 21) amplified moderate-to-vigorous walking intensities, increased daily steps, and improved (reduced) gait variability. While regular engagement in real-world walking with or without RAS each cultivated habits for walking, only the RAS intervention yielded a combination of strengthened habits and improved gait outcomes. Findings from this study supported the use of a personalized, autonomous RAS gait intervention that is effective, habit-forming and translatable to real-world walking in individuals with PD. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-664aede44d9d4341adc1c8cfe97094d3 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2373-8057 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | npj Parkinson's Disease |
| spelling | doaj-art-664aede44d9d4341adc1c8cfe97094d32025-08-20T03:52:24ZengNature Portfolionpj Parkinson's Disease2373-80572025-04-0111111410.1038/s41531-025-00952-xAmplifying walking activity in Parkinson’s disease through autonomous music-based rhythmic auditory stimulation: randomized controlled trialF. Porciuncula0J. T. Cavanaugh1J. Zajac2N. Wendel3T. Baker4D. Arumukhom Revi5N. Eklund6M. B. Holmes7L. N. Awad8T. D. Ellis9Sargent College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston UniversityDepartment of Physical Therapy, University of New EnglandSargent College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston UniversitySargent College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston UniversitySargent College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston UniversitySargent College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston UniversitySargent College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston UniversitySargent College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston UniversitySargent College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston UniversitySargent College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston UniversityAbstract Habitual moderate intensity walking has disease-modifying benefits in Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, the lack of sustainable gait interventions that collectively promote sufficient intensity, daily amount, and quality of walking marks a critical gap in PD rehabilitation. In this randomized controlled trial (clinicaltrials.gov#: NCT05421624, registered on June 6, 2022), we demonstrate the effectiveness of a real-world walking intervention delivered using an autonomous music-based digital rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) system. In comparison to an active-control arm (N = 20) of moderately intense brisk walking, the autonomous RAS system used in the experimental arm (N = 21) amplified moderate-to-vigorous walking intensities, increased daily steps, and improved (reduced) gait variability. While regular engagement in real-world walking with or without RAS each cultivated habits for walking, only the RAS intervention yielded a combination of strengthened habits and improved gait outcomes. Findings from this study supported the use of a personalized, autonomous RAS gait intervention that is effective, habit-forming and translatable to real-world walking in individuals with PD.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41531-025-00952-x |
| spellingShingle | F. Porciuncula J. T. Cavanaugh J. Zajac N. Wendel T. Baker D. Arumukhom Revi N. Eklund M. B. Holmes L. N. Awad T. D. Ellis Amplifying walking activity in Parkinson’s disease through autonomous music-based rhythmic auditory stimulation: randomized controlled trial npj Parkinson's Disease |
| title | Amplifying walking activity in Parkinson’s disease through autonomous music-based rhythmic auditory stimulation: randomized controlled trial |
| title_full | Amplifying walking activity in Parkinson’s disease through autonomous music-based rhythmic auditory stimulation: randomized controlled trial |
| title_fullStr | Amplifying walking activity in Parkinson’s disease through autonomous music-based rhythmic auditory stimulation: randomized controlled trial |
| title_full_unstemmed | Amplifying walking activity in Parkinson’s disease through autonomous music-based rhythmic auditory stimulation: randomized controlled trial |
| title_short | Amplifying walking activity in Parkinson’s disease through autonomous music-based rhythmic auditory stimulation: randomized controlled trial |
| title_sort | amplifying walking activity in parkinson s disease through autonomous music based rhythmic auditory stimulation randomized controlled trial |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41531-025-00952-x |
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