Name:Adiel Mallik

School/Affiliation:Toronto Metropolitan University

Co-Authors:Tara Raessi, Arla Good, Alex Pachete and Frank Russo

Virtual or In-person:In-person

Abstract:

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that causes motor deficits including rigidity and tremors. Pain is also a common problem for people with PD that may arise from their dopamine deficit. Some PD patients find temporary relief from pain through group singing, which also has been shown to mitigate voice challenges related to PD. However, no work has been done in determining a neurochemical mechanism of action on pain threshold. Here we examine whether group singing’s effects on cortisol and oxytocin contribute to pain relief in PD patients.

Methods: Participants with PD (n = 14) came in for three 45-minute group singing sessions in the evening. Saliva samples were taken before and after each singing session via the passive drool method. Pain threshold was assessed before and after each singing session through pressure applied to the finger using a dolorimeter. Saliva samples were used to assess salivary cortisol and oxytocin. Pain threshold, cortisol and oxytocin change scores were calculated for each session by subtracting the pre-session value from the post-session value.

Results: Two mixed linear model analyses were done to assess whether cortisol and oxytocin contributed to pain threshold increases. We found that group singing leads to a significant cortisol reduction which significantly increases pain threshold. However, we did not see the same result for oxytocin.

Conclusion: Group singing significantly increases pain threshold and it appears that this may be mediated through a reduction in cortisol in PD patients.