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Official Study Title: Singing In Groups for Parkinson’s Disease: A pilot study of group singing therapy  TherapyAnother word for “treatment”. for PD-related voice/speech impairment
Sponsor: The National Parkinson Foundation Center of Excellence at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Clinicaltrials.gov ID:
Study ID:

Summary

The main purpose of this study is to find out if singing in groups helps the voice and speech problems related to Parkinson’s disease (PD) more than speech therapy without singing. The investigators are using standard measures of symptoms before and after therapy to look for improvement.

The study will involve weekly treatment sessions where participants will receive training in vocal exercises from a speech-language pathologist with expertise in PD, as well as instructions for structured home practice. Participants will be assigned to a singing or non-singing group for the 12-week treatment phase of the study. Researchers will measure participants’ vocal function and communication-related quality of life before and several times after the 12-week program. All participants and their care partners are welcome to participate in a singing group following the study.

Study Phase

Not Applicable
What is a study phase?

Symptoms Addressed: Non-movement Symptoms

Speech problems (hypophonic)  HypophonicRelating to hypophonia, or the reduction in the volume and clarity of one's voice.

Time Commitment

• More than six months
• One baseline  BaselinBeginning measurements against which a participant’s progress can be quantified at the end of a study. visit followed by one visit a week for 12 weeks, followed by a visit one week after, three months after, and six months after.

Eligibility

• Gender(s) Accepted: Either
• Minimum Years Since Diagnosis: 1

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for this study if you have been diagnosed with PD for one year or more, and you have difficulty with your voice or speech such as quiet voice, or difficulty being understood.

Exclusion Criteria

A known diagnosis of vocal cord hemorrhage, dementia  DementiaA decline in higher-level brain functions, such as memory, reasoning and personality. preventing signing of informed consent  Informed ConsentThe process of providing information to potential study participants to help them decide whether or not to enroll in a specific clinical trial. form, and other neurological conditions affecting speech such as stroke or cerebellar ataxia.

Enrollment

Expected Enrollment: 32 (US)
Date Enrollment Began: Jan 2009
Date Enrollment Ends:
Last Updated Date: Mar 30 2010
Trial Post Date: Mar 04 2010
Website:

Primary Contacts and Locations

Massachusetts

• Althea Silver
  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
  PDResearch@bidmc.harvard.edu
  Phone: (617) 667-9885
  330 Brookline Avenue, Shapiro 809D
  Boston, MA 02215
  USA
  
• Lauren Kraics
  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
  lkraics@bidmc.harvard.edu
  Phone: (617) 667-9890
  330 Brookline Avenue, Shapiro 809D
  Boston, MA 02215
  USA