Singing-based interventions for motor and non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease: a systematic review
5 affiliations
- 1Department of Medical, Motor and Wellbeing Sciences, “Parthenope” University of Naples, Naples, Italy
- 2ICS Maugeri Hermitage, Naples, Italy
- 3Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
- 4Neurology Unit, Movement Disorders Division, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- 5Neuromodulation and Motor Control Section, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, School of Health and Medical Sciences, University of London, City St George’s, London, UK
Abstract
Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by disabling motor and non-motor symptoms. Although pharmacological and rehabilitation interventions improve many motor and non-motor symptoms, persistent impairments commonly remain in domains, including speech, swallowing, gait, and balance, particularly as the disease progresses. For this reason, over the past few years, alternative rehabilitative approaches, such as singing-based interventions, have been used with the aim of addressing symptoms, such as speech impairment, swallowing difficulties, respiratory dysfunction, and mood.
Objective: We aim to review the evidences on the efficacy of singing interventions on motor and non-motor symptoms in patients with PD.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search of PubMed and Google Scholar was conducted for interventional studies published until December 2025. Results were summarized into five symptom domains: motor function, voice quality, breathing, swallowing, and quality of life.
Results: Twenty-six studies involving 1057 patients with PD were included. Singing-based interventions were associated with improvements in motor symptoms, gait, posture, voice quality, respiratory control, and maximum phonation time. Several studies also reported enhanced psychological well-being, social connectedness, and quality of life, with reductions in stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Evidence regarding swallowing outcomes was limited and inconsistent. Considerable heterogeneity in study design, intervention protocols, and outcome measures precluded meta-analysis.
Conclusion: Singing is a promising adjunct therapy for PD rehabilitation, particularly in domains less responsive to pharmacological treatment. Further high-quality research is needed to establish standardized protocols and assess long-term benefits.
Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-026-14072-w.
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BibTeX
@article{trinchillo2026singingbased,
title = {{Singing-based interventions for motor and non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease: a systematic review}},
author = {A. Trinchillo and J. Suh and E. Marcuzzo and C. Vitale and S. Li.ttle and Francesca Morgante and L. Ricciardi},
journal = {Journal of Neurology},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.1007/s00415-026-14072-w},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-026-14072-w},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Singing-based interventions for motor and non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease: a systematic review
AU - A. Trinchillo
AU - J. Suh
AU - E. Marcuzzo
AU - C. Vitale
AU - S. Li.ttle
AU - Francesca Morgante
AU - L. Ricciardi
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/03
JO - Journal of Neurology
DO - 10.1007/s00415-026-14072-w
UR - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-026-14072-w
AB - Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by disabling motor and non-motor symptoms. Although pharmacological and rehabilitation interventions improve many motor and non-motor symptoms, persistent impairments commonly remain in domains, including speech, swallowing, gait, and balance, particularly as the disease progresses. For this reason, over the past few years, alternative rehabilitative approaches, such as singing-based interventions, have been used with the aim of addressing symptoms, such as speech impairment, swallowing difficulties, respiratory dysfunction, and mood. Objective: We aim to review the evidences on the efficacy of singing interventions on motor and non-motor symptoms in patients with PD. Methods: A comprehensive literature search of PubMed and Google Scholar was conducted for interventional studies published until December 2025. Results were summarized into five symptom domains: motor function, voice quality, breathing, swallowing, and quality of life. Results: Twenty-six studies involving 1057 patients with PD were included. Singing-based interventions were associated with improvements in motor symptoms, gait, posture, voice quality, respiratory control, and maximum phonation time. Several studies also reported enhanced psychological well-being, social connectedness, and quality of life, with reductions in stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Evidence regarding swallowing outcomes was limited and inconsistent. Considerable heterogeneity in study design, intervention protocols, and outcome measures precluded meta-analysis. Conclusion: Singing is a promising adjunct therapy for PD rehabilitation, particularly in domains less responsive to pharmacological treatment. Further high-quality research is needed to establish standardized protocols and assess long-term benefits. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-026-14072-w.
SN - 0340-5354
SN - 1432-1459
ER -