Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0932-3821

Date Available

12-15-2027

Year of Publication

2025

Document Type

Doctoral Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

College

Health Sciences

Department/School/Program

Rehabilitation Sciences

Faculty

Nathan Johnson

Faculty

Alaine Reschke-Hernandez

Faculty

Esther Dupont-Versteegden

Abstract

This pilot study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes of a synchronous, telehealth-delivered music-and-movement intervention for older adults with Parkinson’s disease. Designed to integrate motor, cognitive, and psychosocial domains, the intervention utilized two implementation frameworks, the Assessment Tool for Telehealth Adoption, Integration, and Navigation (ATTAIN) and the Music-based Planning and Adaptation for Clinical Telehealth (M-PACT) framework, to structure telehealth readiness and facilitate adaptive therapeutic delivery. Aim 1 focused on finalizing a manualized protocol supported by these frameworks. Aim 2 established feasibility through high retention (100%), strong adherence (96%), and absence of adverse events. Participants demonstrated stable telehealth usability and reported consistently positive experiences, with minimal burden on care partners. Aim 3 examined preliminary effectiveness, with results indicating stability across most functional and psychosocial measures. A statistically significant improvement was observed in the Two-Chair Test (p = .027, r = .90) and the Trail Making Test A (p = .046, r = .82), suggesting gains in endurance and processing speed. Session-level data suggested participants experienced significant improvements in focus, mood, energy, and motivation during sessions. Qualitative feedback highlighted engagement, personal meaning, and accessibility. Stability, in this context, is interpreted as clinically meaningful given the progressive nature of Parkinson’s disease. Implications include evidence supporting structured telehealth delivery, therapist adaptability, and the use of ATTAIN and M-PACT to guide readiness, fidelity, and session engagement. Recommendations for future research include larger controlled trials, refinement of primary outcomes, biometric integration, and professional training aligned with these frameworks. This study provides foundational support for scalable, framework-guided telehealth music therapy in PD rehabilitation, emphasizing both therapeutic depth and practical implementation.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2025.571

Funding Information

Advertising for this study through the university’s Center for Clinical and Translational Science was supported by the National Institutes of Health CTSA UL1TR000117.

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Available for download on Wednesday, December 15, 2027

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