Kansas City, KS- The discussion highlighted the therapeutic benefits of singing for Parkinson's disease patients. Dr. Sun Joo Lee shared her experience directing the Tremble Clefs, a choir for Parkinson's patients and their caregivers. Dr. Rebecca Lepping shared research indicating music can be medicine for people living with Parkinson’s disease. Dr. Lindsey Heidrick talked about the roll singing can play in speech therapy.
Pam Sullivan, patient
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Pam shares her experience of living with the disease since 2012, and the challenges she faces.
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She expresses interest in joining the Tremble Clefs program and discusses the potential benefits for her and her husband.
Dr. Lindsey Heidrick, Speech Therapist, The University of Kansas Health System
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Dr. Heidrick explains the importance of vocal cord closure in swallowing and how singing can help improve this function.
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She discusses the importance of self-image and the role of family caregivers in supporting patients with Parkinson's.
Dr. Rebecca Lepping, PROMUS Music Lab, The University of Kansas Medical Center
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Dr. Lepping outlines the next steps for her research, focusing on the impact of the Tremble Clefs program on brain activity and symptom improvement.
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She discusses the use of EEG caps to measure brain activity and the potential benefits of music therapy for increasing dopamine activity and neuroplasticity.
Dr. Sun Joo Lee, Music Therapy, University of Missouri–Kansas City Conservatory
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Dr. Lee demonstrates vocal exercises like lip trills and humming to help warm up the voice and reduce nervousness.
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She emphasizes the multi-tasking nature of singing and its benefits for mood, emotion, movement, and cognition.
