Presenter Name:Aashna, Agarwal

School/Affiliation:McMaster University

Co-Authors:Amrit Marwaha, Aleena Sajid

Abstract:

Parkinson’s disease damages the basal ganglia dopaminergic signalling system and can result in moderate-severe movement impairments. In response to this, rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) has been considered as a non-invasive therapeutic avenue to improve gait parameters in afflicted patients. To assess this, a systematic review of nine randomized controlled trials was conducted using PubMed and OVID Medline databases using keywords such as “Parkinson’s disease,” “rhythmic auditory stimulation,” and “gait.” These articles were subject to strict inclusion criteria, such as being written in the English language and publication between 2012 and 2022. Outcomes were critically analyzed, and their implications were evaluated in the context of existing research within this field. Many studies demonstrated strong immediate improvements in many of the gait parameters, such as speed, stride length, cadence, balance, and falls, following the integration of rhythmic auditory stimulation in regular routines. However, further research is necessary to form conclusions regarding the long-term efficacy of this intervention. Overall, this non-invasive therapeutic option can be considered in the future for gait rehabilitation in individuals with Parkinson’s disease.