Parkinsonics: A Randomized, Blinded, Cross-Over Trial of Group Singing for Motor and Nonmotor Symptoms in Idiopathic Parkinson Disease.

Introduction: Parkinson's disease (PD) frequently causes communication difficulties due to various voice impairments and there are few treatment options for vocal/communication complaints. We assessed the effects of weekly group singing on PD patients' objective vocal and motoric function, cognition, mood, self-efficacy, and quality of life.

Methods: Thirty-two participants were randomly assigned to either a singing group or a facilitated discussion group weekly over 12 weeks.

A Dual Centre Study of Pain in Parkinson's Disease and Its Relationship with Other Non-Motor Symptoms.

Background: Pain is a disabling and often underestimated non-motor symptom (NMS) detrimentally affecting the quality of life of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Objective: Here, we conducted a cross-sectional, observational international study on 167 patients with idiopathic PD in order to analyze the potential relationship between pain and other NMS.

Methods: Subjects were assessed with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) part III, Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) stage, King's Parkinson's Disease Pain Scale (KPPS), Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), Non-Motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

Changes in Verbal Fluency in Parkinson's Disease.

Background: The test for semantic verbal fluency is quick and easy to administer. Decreases in semantic verbal fluency would suggest executive dysfunction among individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods: The National Parkinson Foundation's Outcomes Project is a multicenter study that seeks to determine best practices in PD management.