Music helps keep Parkinson's patients going

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Belly laughs and rousing songs open a weekly choral gathering at the Struthers Parkinson's Center in Golden Valley.

All have Parkinson's disease, a degenerative condition that attacks the nervous system. There is no cure.

Even though the disease generally is not considered funny, music therapist Sandi Holten wants her patients to laugh. That helps loosen and exercise torso and face muscles rigid with stiffness, a symptom of Parkinson's.

"Hah, hah, " she prompts, "Everyone!"

"Hah, hah, take that, Parkinson's!" the patients shout back.

Then, with Holten at an electronic keyboard, they all begin to sing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game."

After an hour of vocal exercises and songs, the chorus members bid Holten goodbye until next week's session. Next on her agenda is a one-on-one session with a patient.

Art Grell, 67, is a broad-shouldered bear of a man. But he no longer has a vigorous stride. Instead, Grell takes slow, halting steps, almost a shuffle, another effect of the disease.

"A person with Parkinson's has rigidity throughout their body," Holten said. "That's one of the primary symptoms."

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Music helps keep Parkinson's patients going