Live music could help Parkinson's patients' symptoms

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - The Freimann Quartet, part of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic , put on a special concert Sunday at IPFW's Rhinehart Recital Hall. In the audience were around 30 people with Parkinson's disease.

"We have some anecdotal evidence that live music may have an effect on Parkinson's and we aim to find out if that's really the case over the next three months," J.L. Nave, the Phil's president and CEO, said.

Sunday's was the first of three concerts where the Parkinson's patients will come and listen. Before, during and after the concert, they will fill out surveys about their symptoms.

The idea for the study came from someone close to the Phil.

"One of the Phil's chorus member's tremors stop when he goes to the concerts. They start at intermission and stop again in the second half," Nave said. "The possibility of what we may discover and that the Fort Wayne Philharmonic would have had a hand in that is really exciting. We're all anxious to see where this study may take us."

People who take the survey are asked about their general like or dislike of music and if they've ever played an instrument.

"Maybe it will only be effective in people who love music. We may find it's the relaxation or focusing that makes symptoms go away," Dr. Pamela Kelly, a physician and a member of the Phil's board of directors, said. "I think this study will generate more questions than answers and we'll see where it leads us."

All the concerts are free and open to the public.

The second concert is Saturday, February 13 at 3 p.m. at IPFW's Rhinehart Recital Hall. A woodwind quintet will perform.

The third concert is Sunday, March 6 at 3 p.m. at IPFW's Rhinehart Recital Hall. A brass quintet will perform at that concert.

IPFW and Physician's Health Plan are partners in the study with the Philharmonic.