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

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).

Keywords: bradykinesia; dyskinesia; early intervention; music rhythm; psychotic‐like experience; rehabilitation.