SParky Samba v1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluating the feasibility of a samba percussion intervention for people with Parkinson's disease
IRAS ID
349733
Contact name
Cheney Drew
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cardiff University, Joint Research Office
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 30 days
Research summary
Parkinson’s disease (PD) affects brain areas that are important for regulating many vital functions including movement, thinking, mood and sleep. Symptoms progress over time, reducing independence, wellbeing and quality of life. Treatments are available to manage symptoms, but there's no proven treatment can slow or stop the decline. People with PD have highlighted the need for more interventions to help combat movement problems and other symptoms. Interventions including physical activity or repetitive beats to music, known as rhythmic auditory stimulation, have been shown to help with PD symptoms. It has been suggested that providing interventions in the community, rather than in clinical settings, will help people with PD stay engaged to achieve maximum and sustainable potential health benefit.
A community-based samba percussion activity (SParky Samba) has been designed for people with PD by people with PD, with the support of a samba band leader. An initial qualitative evaluation reported that the people attending experience several benefits in their movement, health and wellbeing from participating in the group. We have undertaken a series of observations and interviews with group members and used this information to define SParky Samba as an intervention.
We are now undertaking a feasibility randomised controlled trial of the SParky Samba intervention at different community SParky Samba groups in Wales. We will recruit 60 participants to take part in the trial. They will be randomly assigned to either take part in a local SParky Samba group or or continue their ususal activities for 12 weeks. We will measure movement, thinking and wellbeing before and after these 12 weeks. We will also record how many people are willing to join and then stay in the trial. This will provide important information to help design a bigger clinical trial to investgate the effectiveness of SParky Samba as a health intervention.REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
25/NS/0037
Date of REC Opinion
14 Apr 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion