Moving to the Rhythm: Music Therapy for Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders
- Carla Tanguay, MA, MT-BC
- Mar 23
- 3 min read
Do you remember the 2019 video of the man with Parkinson’s walking with his physical therapist? At first, he is shuffling and moving slowly. Then, she turns on music. Suddenly, his walking is smoother, steadier. And his face relaxes into a smile.
It feels almost unbelievable, but it isn’t. It’s something we see again and again in music therapy.
Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative neurological disorder that affects movement, along with cognitive and emotional well-being. Changes in dopamine and other neurotransmitters disrupt the brain’s internal timing system, making it difficult to initiate and sustain movement. People may experience freezing, shuffling steps, or difficulty with coordination. Speech can become quieter or less clear, and symptoms like anxiety and depression are also common.
Music therapy is an excellent fit for Parkinson’s disease because it engages many of the same systems that are affected by the disease. Music impacts movement, speech, and mood, often at the same time.
In my own practice, I’ve seen just how powerful this can be. One client I worked with often described his walking as “getting stuck between steps.” Starting movement was the hardest part. During one session, we introduced a steady beat using a drum. At first, he simply listened. Then he began tapping along. When we transitioned that rhythm into stepping, something shifted. His steps became more regular, more fluid. He walked farther than he had in weeks. Afterward, he said, “It’s like my feet finally remembered what to do.”
That experience is supported by a strong and growing body of research.
Music and Movement
Auditory cueing, or using steady, external rhythmic beats, has been shown to significantly improve walking in people with Parkinson’s. This approach, referred to as Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS), helps regulate timing and coordination by providing an external rhythm for the body to follow. Rather than relying on disrupted internal timing, the brain uses these external cues to organize movement more effectively.
RAS has emerged as one of the most researched music therapy techniques for improving motor function in Parkinson’s disease. Studies show that it can lead to meaningful improvements in gait velocity, stride length, and balance. It works by engaging preserved neural pathways and helping the brain bypass areas that are not functioning as efficiently. In practical terms, this can mean smoother walking, fewer freezes, and greater confidence with movement.
Communication and Connection
Music therapy also supports speech and communication. Many people with Parkinson’s experience reduced vocal volume and changes in speech clarity. Singing-based interventions provide a structured and engaging way to work on breath support, vocal strength, and articulation. Studies have shown that structured vocal programs can improve vocal loudness and strengthen respiratory control.
There are also important emotional and social benefits. Group singing, in particular, offers opportunities for connection that are often missing for people living with Parkinson’s. Participants in singing programs have reported reduced symptoms of depression, increased confidence, and a stronger sense of community. While research on cognitive changes is still emerging, the benefits for mood and quality of life are clear.
Why music?
Music provides structure. Rhythm provides predictability. And together, they give the body something to organize around when internal systems feel unreliable.
For individuals living with Parkinson’s and other movement disorders, music therapy offers a way to reconnect through movement, and with other people. It is evidence-based, engaging, and deeply human.
Questions? Want to learn more or set up a trial session? Contact us today!
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