Piano training enhances Stroop performance and musical self-efficacy in older adults with Parkinson’s disease

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is commonly associated with motor symptoms; however, many patients with PD exhibit decline in executive functions. Executive functions refer to a broad array of generalized cognitive abilities such as cognitive control and working memory. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the impact of a novel intense group piano training program on executive functions in patients with PD. Forty-five patients with PD were assigned to an intense group piano training program or a waitlist control group. Group intensive piano training consisted of basic piano technique, finger dexterity exercises, basic piano repertoire, and music theory, presented over a 10-day period (30 hrs of training). Participants completed a battery of standardized cognitive measures of processing speed, cognitive control, and verbal fluency, pre- and post-training. Results of an independent samples Mann–Whitney test on composite cognitive and psychosocial variables revealed significantly enhanced Stroop performance and musical self-efficacy. Intensive piano training may serve as an effective cognitive and psychosocial intervention for those with PD.