A structural analysis of the music used in a tango dance exercise intervention for people with Parkinson’s disease

Submission note: A thesis submitted in total fulfilment for the degree of Master of Applied Science, La Trobe University to the School of Allied Health, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Victoria 3086 Australia.

This thesis examines and critiques the music used in therapeutic Argentine tango dancing classes for people with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD), from a music therapy perspective. Evidence is accumulating that selecting appropriate music can improve movement performance and health related quality of life in PD. The main aim was to determine if there were musical genres and structures common to the most beneficial pieces using in PD dance classes. Data were evaluated from computer software analyses, dance teacher interviews and interviews with physiotherapy and music therapy clinicians. The music was analysed from classes that were directed by a tango teacher, with support from physiotherapists. The teacher chose 15 pieces, all pre-recorded in mp3 format. The music was analysed three ways: (i) quantitative musicology analysis using MATLAB software and MIDI toolbox; (ii) detailed physiotherapist appraisals; and (iii) the dance teacher interview. In-depth interviewing techniques were used for the teacher interview. Grounded theory was used as the basis for the physiotherapist and dance teacher evaluations. The computer-generated results were analysed using quantitative methods. Both the computer and physiotherapists results showed the most effective music to range in tempo between 105-125 bpm, in simple duple time, with a clear downbeat, moderate pulse clarity and minimal key modulations. The physiotherapists prioritised a clear beat, appropriate tempo, then melodic interest. The dance teacher selected music according to rhythm, tempo and melodic interest. The computer software accurately and efficiently identified the optimal tempo, pulse clarity, brightness, tonality and modulations of the pieces. Commonalities in the successful music pieces were found, enabling recommendations to be made on the selection of music to improve dancing in PD. The findings provide new insight from a music therapy viewpoint on how music can optimise therapy outcomes for therapeutic dancing in people with chronic diseases.