Effects of Music Rhythm on Movement Abnormalities in People With Psychotic-Like Experiences: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial Using Motion Analysis

Journal

Early Intervention in Psychiatry

Year

2025

Abstract

AIM: People with psychotic-like experiences (PLE) exhibit slow movements and uncontrolled/involuntary movements. Movement abnormalities are associated with a subsequent increased risk of the onset of psychotic diseases. This pilot, single-blind (assessors), randomised, parallel-group, controlled trial was designed to examine if the use of music rhythm (MR) incorporated in functional movement training reduced the severity of slow movements and uncontrolled/involuntary movements in people with PLE. METHODS: Fifteen people with PLE were randomly allocated to receive 21-day and daily 40-min functional upper-limb movement training (picking up beads) with the aid of MR (n = 8) or to receive the same training without the aid of MR (n = 7). This study adopted motion analysis and thus calculated kinematic variables to measure the severity of slow movements and uncontrolled/involuntary movements at pretest and posttest. This study also recruited 15 age- and gender-matched people without PLE to provide reference data on movement performances. RESULTS: MR incorporated in dominant-hand movement training may reduce the severity of slow movements and uncontrolled/involuntary movements at both hands in people with PLE. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study offered initial evidence of the efficacy of the non-pharmacological early intervention that tackled initial abnormalities in the psychosis course. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The registration number of this randomised controlled trial in ClinicalTrials.gov was NCT04929795 (the registration date: June 10, 2021) (https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov/study/NCT04929795?cond=NCT04929795&rank=1).

Music and Health Institute Terms

Mental Health; Psychotic Disorders; Recreative Music Methods; Rhythmic Sensory Stimulation; Observational Measures; Psychiatric Outcomes

Indexed Terms

bradykinesia; dyskinesia; early intervention; music rhythm; Pilot Projects; Psychotic Disorders; psychotic‐like experience; rehabilitation; Single-Blind Method

Study Type

Randomized Controlled Trial; Quantitative Methods

PubMed ID

PMID: 41254481

Document Type

Article

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