Helping people with Parkinson’s Disease through music therapy at Concord Hospital.

Jessica Lamond, Concord Hospital Senior Speech Pathologist, is passionate about giving patients the best tools to improve their communication. 

She facilitated the Concord Parkinsingers, a therapeutic singing group designed specifically for people with Parkinson’s disease and related movement disorders.

Working with a Registered Music Therapist, the group met regularly over an eight-week period to sing well known tunes and classic melodies, stretching their abilities and creating a supportive, social atmosphere.

“There is growing evidence around the benefit of group singing, particularly for people with Parkinson’s Disease,” Jessica said.

“The singing program helped our patients with breathing, speech, rhythm, vocal intensity, and social connectedness.”

Starting in 2021, funding was awarded to Sydney Local Health District Speech Pathology through The Arts Pitch to employ a Registered Music Therapist for a series of workshops, as part of a larger research program. These first round of evidence-based therapy sessions were conducted via telehealth due to COVID-19 restrictions. 

Speech Pathology services then received an additional donation from Pyrmont Ultimo Glebe Men’s Shed in 2023 to run the singing group specifically for people living with Parkinson’s Disease, creating the Concord Parkinsingers. 

The thirteen participants and three carers have loved the hour-long weekly face-to-face sessions and enjoyed performing, with many eager to return.

“We’ve received wonderful, positive feedback from participants, with 60% reporting an increase in how they were able to communicate on a typical day,” Jessica said. 

“We had one participant say it has been a delightful journey that has brought joy and a sense of worth, and another can hardly wait for the next program to begin.”

Together with Susan Mercer, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Jessica linked Parkinsingers with the multidisciplinary team in the hospital’s Movement Disorders and Parkinson’s Disease service.

The large team, made up of allied health specialists, doctors, and nurses, work with patients at all stages of their disease, from initial investigations and diagnosis to palliative care. They provide comprehensive assessment and management strategies for people living with Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders.

Other rehabilitation programs include the physiotherapy dance program, regular general exercise groups, the swallow drop-in clinic, and Understanding Parkinson’s Program for people newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

Carers, family, and friends were invited to connect with fellow music lovers in a live performance to round off the sessions. Future performances are planned for later this year.