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Power of Rhythm app

An app for anyone with Parkinson’s disease who has walking or gait problems.
It is a tool for physiotherapists to use with their patients to help reduce freezing of gait (freezing during walking) by using a method called rhythmic auditory stimulation.

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Power of Rhythm app	By Multiple Sclerosis & Parkinsons Canterbury
	Features Wide selection of original songs. Has a playback feature. Songs can be time scaled to suit a range of beats per minute. Has a metronome function.
Country of origin	New Zealand
Clinical review	Read a clinical review below.
Security and privacy	Does the app: Collect medical information? No Require a login? No Have password protection? No Have a privacy policy? No Require internet access to use? No Read more about safety and security when using apps. Brochures: Tips to improve your privacy and security [PNG, 200 KB] Health Navigator Charitable Trust, NZ Staying safe online(external link) Netsafe, NZ
Cost	Paid
Advertisements	This app contains no ads.
How to get the app	(external link)

This app is most useful for people with Parkinson’s who are freezing during walking. The app should be used under the guidance of a physiotherapist trained in the treatment of movement disorders. The app uses rhythmical auditory cueing therapy, which uses steady beats of music to help people with Parkinson's manage gait problems such as stride length, balance and walking speed.

It has a selection of original songs that have been chosen to fit a wide cross-section of musical tastes, and the playback of these songs can be adjusted to suit the individual patient. The type of music, the tempo and length of programme can easily be tailored to the individual's needs and their ability level. Use of the app is more suited to early to mid-disease stage, where cueing and physiotherapy intervention are more likely to be beneficial. It is less suited to people who have moderate or severe freezing.

For the complete app description, go to Google Play(external link) or for a more detailed review, see reviews below.

PROS	CONS
✔ Large button for play and pause. ✔ Good explanation of rhythmic auditory cueing and how to use the app. ✔ 5 songs/rhythms (each song is approximately 9 minutes in length at a tempo of 95 bpm) and a metronome. ✔ Guidance on which rhythm should be used for different gait problems. ✔ The tempo can be changed from 80–120 bpm. ✔ Can lock the device on playback (so the patient can put it in their pocket with less fiddling). ✔ Lead-in tone option (4 bar beat before playback) to give the patient a heads-up, and an adjustable start delay.	✘ Can’t be linked to wearable technology. ✘ No free version. ✘ Only available on Google Play.

PROS

CONS

✔ Large button for play and pause.

✔ Good explanation of rhythmic auditory cueing and how to use the app.

✔ 5 songs/rhythms (each song is approximately 9 minutes in length at a tempo of 95 bpm) and a metronome.

✔ Guidance on which rhythm should be used for different gait problems.

✔ The tempo can be changed from 80–120 bpm.

✔ Can lock the device on playback (so the patient can put it in their pocket with less fiddling).

✔ Lead-in tone option (4 bar beat before playback) to give the patient a heads-up, and an adjustable start delay.

✘ Can’t be linked to wearable technology.

✘ No free version.

✘ Only available on Google Play.

Clinical review

Reviewer: Jeremy Steinberg, GP, FRNZCGP
Date of review: May 2019
Platform: Android
Version: 1.1.2
Comments: "Cueing” is a tool used for patients with Parkinson’s disease to help reduce episodes of freezing during walking. The cue serves as a reference point for movement, and can be auditory, visual or tactile. The app uses auditory cues (called rhythmic auditory stimulation) in the form of a metronome and various selected musical pieces. There is moderate evidence for its effectiveness in the short term.The app makes it clear, which I agree with, that it should be used under guidance from a physiotherapist. The app could be improved by adding tactile cues (vibration), but auditory cueing has more evidence and is generally more effective. Visual cueing is another method but I’m not sure how that could be implemented in app form. Adding wearable technology connectivity could also be a very useful feature.
Safety concerns: None
New Zealand relevance: This is a locally developed app – developed in Christchurch(external link)(external link).
Conflict of interest: The reviewer obtained a free copy of the app in exchange for an unbiased review.

Parkinson's overview | Mate pākenetana
Parkinson's apps
Consumer guide: how to choose a health app
Clinicians guide: how to choose a health app
NZ health app library

References

Pieter G, Evelien N, Alice N, Elke H. Cueing for people with Parkinson’s disease with freezing of gait: a narrative review of the state-of-the-art and novel perspectives.(external link) Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine. 2018;61(6):407–13.
Kadivar Z, Corcos DM, Foto J, Hondzinski JM. Effect of Step Training and Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation on Functional Performance in Parkinson Patients.(external link) Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2011 Sep;25(7):626–35.

Disclaimer: The NZ Health App Library is a free consumer service to help you decide whether a health app would be suitable for you. Our review process is independent. We have no relationship with the app developers or companies and no responsibility for the service they provide. This means that if you have an issue with one of the apps we have reviewed, you will need to contact the app developer or company directly.

Credits: Healthify editorial team. Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust.

Power of Rhythm app