Power of Rhythm app | By Multiple Sclerosis & Parkinsons Canterbury |
Features
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Country of origin | New Zealand |
Clinical review |
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Security and privacy | Does the app:
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Cost | Paid |
Advertisements | This app contains no ads. |
How to get the app |
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Power of Rhythm app
Power of Rhythm app
- An app for anyone with Parkinson’s disease who has walking or gait problems.
- It is a tool for physiotherapists to use with their patients to help reduce freezing of gait (freezing during walking) by using a method called rhythmic auditory stimulation.
This app is most useful for people with Parkinson’s who are freezing during walking. The app should be used under the guidance of a physiotherapist trained in the treatment of movement disorders. The app uses rhythmical auditory cueing therapy, which uses steady beats of music to help people with Parkinson's manage gait problems such as stride length, balance and walking speed.
It has a selection of original songs that have been chosen to fit a wide cross-section of musical tastes, and the playback of these songs can be adjusted to suit the individual patient. The type of music, the tempo and length of programme can easily be tailored to the individual's needs and their ability level. Use of the app is more suited to early to mid-disease stage, where cueing and physiotherapy intervention are more likely to be beneficial. It is less suited to people who have moderate or severe freezing.
For the complete app description, go to Google Play(external link) or for a more detailed review, see reviews below.
PROS | CONS |
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✔ Large button for play and pause. |
✘ Can’t be linked to wearable technology. |
Clinical review
Reviewer: Jeremy Steinberg, GP, FRNZCGP
Date of review: May 2019
Platform: Android
Version: 1.1.2
Comments: "Cueing” is a tool used for patients with Parkinson’s disease to help reduce episodes of freezing during walking. The cue serves as a reference point for movement, and can be auditory, visual or tactile. The app uses auditory cues (called rhythmic auditory stimulation) in the form of a metronome and various selected musical pieces. There is moderate evidence for its effectiveness in the short term.The app makes it clear, which I agree with, that it should be used under guidance from a physiotherapist. The app could be improved by adding tactile cues (vibration), but auditory cueing has more evidence and is generally more effective. Visual cueing is another method but I’m not sure how that could be implemented in app form. Adding wearable technology connectivity could also be a very useful feature.
Safety concerns: None
New Zealand relevance: This is a locally developed app – developed in Christchurch(external link)(external link).
Conflict of interest: The reviewer obtained a free copy of the app in exchange for an unbiased review.
References
- Pieter G, Evelien N, Alice N, Elke H. Cueing for people with Parkinson’s disease with freezing of gait: a narrative review of the state-of-the-art and novel perspectives.(external link) Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine. 2018;61(6):407–13.
- Kadivar Z, Corcos DM, Foto J, Hondzinski JM. Effect of Step Training and Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation on Functional Performance in Parkinson Patients.(external link) Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2011 Sep;25(7):626–35.
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