Advisor(s)

Christopher Ballmann

Committee Member(s)

Alex Evancho
Christine Ferguson
Jane Allendorfer
Jenna Lachenaye

Document Type

Thesis

Date of Award

1-27-2026

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

School

School of Education

Department

Education

Abstract

Exercise is a cornerstone adjunct therapy for people with Parkinson’s Disease (PwP). However, exercise capacity is often impaired by non-motor processes including decreased motivation, arousal, and physical effort. Self-selected music (SSM) has been shown to improve motivation and arousal state in healthy individuals thereby leading to increases in exercise capacity. Whether these positive effects of SSM translate to PwP is unclear. The purpose of this study was to measure 1) the psychophysiological effects of SSM at rest, and 2) psychophysiological and physical responses during a 6-minute walk test (6MWT) in PwP. In a counterbalanced crossover manner, PwP (n=12) completed resting assessments under 1) Silence (SIL), White noise control (WN), 3) Self-selected music (SSM) and 6MWT assessments under 1) WN, and 2) SSM conditions. For resting assessments, participants listened to each condition under seated conditions while alpha wave activity (a-EEG), heart rate (HR), and electrodermal activity (EDA) were monitored. Feelings of motivation, enjoyment, and arousal were also recorded. For the 6MWT assessments, participants walked as far as possible in 6-minutes for each condition and heart rate, metabolic equivalents (METs), steps, walking velocity, and distance were monitored with a medical grade smart watch. After the completion of each 6MWT, motivation, arousal, enjoyment, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were assessed. For resting outcomes, there were no differences in HR (p= 0.534), aEEG (p= 0.065), or EDA (p= 0.123) between conditions. However, SSM resulted in higher motivation (p< 0.001), psychological arousal (p< 0.001), and enjoyment (p< 0.001) compared to other conditions. For 6MWT outcomes, SSM resulted in significantly higher HR (p=0.004), METs p= 0.013), total steps (p= 0.029), walking velocity (p= 0.009) and distance (p=0.044) compared to WN. Levels of psychological arousal (p= 0.001), motivation (p< 0.001), and enjoyment (p< 0.001) were higher with SSM compared to WN. No differences in RPE were seen with SSM versus WN (p=0.309). These data suggest SSM potently modulates psychophysiological responses and may aid in improving exercise responses in PwP. Although larger sample sizes and more robust testing are warranted, SSM may be an effective tool for PwP to improve exercise tolerance and capacity.

Keywords

Enjoyment;Exercise;Motivation;Parkinson's Disease;Psychological Arousal

ProQuest Publication Number

32282788

ISBN

9798273349711

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