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Mumbai: On the eve of World Parkinson’s Day, Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre announced findings from a groundbreaking clinical trial led by Prof (Dr) Paresh Doshi. This trial aims to slow the progression of Parkinson's disease, potentially revolutionizing care worldwide. With over 10 million affected globally, particularly in Asia, including India, Parkinson's severely impacts motor functions and quality of life due to neuron degeneration. Current treatments focus on symptom management, leaving a gap in disease progression. The trial explores innovative approaches like dance, music therapy, and mindfulness meditation to manage symptoms and enhance well-being. Conducted at Jaslok Hospital, the study engaged 28 individuals with mild to moderate PD over six months. Patients were randomly assigned to therapy or control groups, with therapy options including dance or music, accompanied by guided meditation. Various assessments were conducted before and after the trial to evaluate motor function, behavior, mood, and cognitive functions. Both groups continued their usual medical management, ensuring compliance through patient diaries. The assessments focused on two primary areas: the quality of life measured by the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ39) and the impact of treatment on disease progression measured by the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). Additionally, caregiver impact was evaluated using PDQ-Carer Change and Zarit Burden Interview Change. All four endpoints showed significant improvement, indicating the positive impact of preferred therapy (dance or music) along with meditation on both disease progression and patient quality of life. These benefits extended beyond the intervention period, suggesting long-lasting effects and highlighting the need for exploring alternative therapies comprehensively. Future directions include longer-term studies and investigations in diverse populations. Furthermore, improvements were observed in mood, memory function, balance, and anxiety. Prof (Dr) Doshi emphasized the significance of these results, stating that they represent a significant advancement in Parkinson's care by potentially slowing disease progression and enhancing symptom management through innovative approaches like dance and music therapy. Dr. Doshi emphasized that this trial represents a pioneering effort, being the first to conduct a blinded randomized evaluation of patients receiving treatment versus those not undergoing therapy, a unique aspect in global research. Furthermore, it's the inaugural trial to assess both Parkinson's disease and caregivers' burden through dance and music therapy, shedding light on a seldom-explored area. Significantly, the trial placed considerable emphasis on evaluating the quality of life, a rarity in similar studies of this nature. The meticulous evaluation of motor disability, mood, behavior, and cognition sets this trial apart, as such detailed assessments are typically associated with surgical or medical intervention trials, not those centered solely on alternative therapies like dance and music. Dr. Milind Khadke, Director of Medical Services at Jaslok Hospital, emphasized the transformative potential of harnessing alternative therapies to not only treat Parkinson's disease but also improve overall well-being.