Community Choir Improves Vocal Production Measures in Individuals Living with Parkinson's Disease.

Objectives: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease leading to motor impairments and dystonia across diverse muscle groups including vocal muscles. The vocal production challenges associated with PD have received considerably less research attention than the primary gross motor symptoms of the disease despite having a substantial effect on quality of life. Increasingly, people living with PD are discovering group singing as an asset-based approach to community building that is purported to strengthen vocal muscles and improve vocal quality.

Deficits in the Mimicry of Facial Expressions in Parkinson's Disease.

Background: Humans spontaneously mimic the facial expressions of others, facilitating social interaction. This mimicking behavior may be impaired in individuals with Parkinson's disease, for whom the loss of facial movements is a clinical feature.

Objective: To assess the presence of facial mimicry in patients with Parkinson's disease.