The Use of Music Among Swiss People with Parkinson's: A Mixed Methods Survey and Comparison to the UK Findings

Background Music is beneficial in Parkinson's care; for example, rhythm can improve gait, and singing can improve communication. Ways of ameliorating symptoms and enhancing quality of life are important adjuncts to pharmacological and surgical therapies that have limitions and complex side effects. Knowing how to use music, however, requires an understanding of cultural and personal preferences, rather than a prescriptive approach. Methods We conducted a mixed methods study via an online survey investigating how Swiss people with Parkinson's (PwP) use music in their everyday lives. This follows a similar survey of PwP in the UK, enabling consideration of cultural differences and insight into potential generalities. Results As with the UK findings, the top three uses of music were aesthetic appreciation, relaxation, and motivation. However, this sample of Swiss PwP (N = 44) reported more use of music for cathartic purposes, personal anthems, and distraction than PwP in the UK. Using the Barcelona Music Reward Questionnaire for the first time with PwP we found significant positive correlations ( p < .01) between those top three themes and the mood regulation and social reward subthemes, between emotional evocation and cathartic purpose, and between sensory-motor elements and motivation. Qualitative analysis showed that Swiss PwP have a deep love of music from their homeland and connection with Swiss music, for example, yodelling. Similarities with the UK survey included the importance of the feeling of energy in music to invigorate, and gentleness in music to regenerate. Discussion & Conclusion Understanding the similarities and differences across cultures will facilitate individualized care and support broader guidelines for the use of music in Parkinson's rehabilitation. Although the small sample here does not reflect the complexity of Swiss musical culture, it does provide further support for the inclusion of strategies utilizing heard and imagined music to promote activity, support relaxation, and regulate mood.