Effects of Waltz and Samba in the Functional Mobility of Patients with Parkinson´s Disease

Abstract

Several studies have shown that music is a good therapy for people with Parkinson´s disease. The intervention´s spatial and temporal stimuli may signalize gait cycle phases and provide the person with a more coordinated gait. Further, music therapy provides an increase in self-esteem, greater comfort, relax and well-being, with greater interactions when treatment is undertaken by groups of people. The effects of the musical genres, waltz and samba, on the functional mobility in people with Parkinson´s disease are investigated. Volunteers practiced Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) under the following conditions: without music, with classical music (waltz) and Brazilian popular music (samba). Data were weighed by descriptive and inferential statistical analyses by Fridman test and paired post-hoc Wilcoxon test at 5% significance level. In fact, samba provided a contrary effect in gait with a reduction of speed (p=0.04), number of steps (p=0.04) and cadence (p=0.04), with an increase in time (p=0.04) and step length (p=0.05) when compared to situations without music. Music´s intrinsic factor such as rhythm, harmony, melody and amplitude may be associated with an adverse effect observed in the functional mobility of people with Parkinson´s disease.