Parkinson’s Disease Therapy Partnership to Expand Prescription Music Catalog

MedRythms, a pioneer in rhythmic auditory stimulation to improve the walking ability of people with neurological disorders, has now launched a partnership with Universal Music Group (UMG) – owner of an extensive catalog of recordings and songs – to expand its offering prescription music to patients.

The collaboration will allow MedRhythms to have access to UMGmusic’s diverse catalog in providing “training” therapy for patients with Parkinson’s disease and other disorders.

Using MedRhythms’ patented platform, rhythmic signals are associated with bodily movements – such as walking to the beat of a song – in a process called training, which aims to improve walking speed and cadence. users by synchronizing their movements with regular rhythms.

“The partnership with UMG is an important milestone for MedRhythms which will open countless doors to improve the quality of care we provide to patients,” said Brian Harris, CEO and co-founder of MedRhythms, in a statement. Press release.

“This partnership will give us the opportunity to leverage patient favorite music to deliver the best clinical results and create a product that patients are excited to use,” said Harris.

In the brain, some of the same pathways involved in controlling movement are also involved in processing auditory signals. Training is the “synchronization” of these processes. The company believes its prescription music platform can help improve neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to make new connections in response to new information, stimuli, or developments.

“Music has the power to transcend borders, cultures and languages ​​to connect people and improve the quality of life around the world,” said Michael Nash, executive vice president of digital strategy at UMG.

“Now with MedRhythms, we see the power of music harnessed to heal. Our innovative collaboration with MedRhythms will allow UMG to help improve neurological treatment of patients across the United States, ”he said.

UMG, according to Nash, has promoted the importance of music in the health and wellness industry, especially with fitness, sleep, and meditation.

“In this pioneering alliance [with MedRhythms], we are privileged to be engaged in extending the profound impact of music to medical therapy, ”said Nash.

MedRhythms’ digital platform works by organizing and filtering music content, through its patented process, to personalize interventions for each user. Initially, the process analyzes the music for the right characteristics to make it therapeutically useful, after which it creates specialized clinical interventions for each patient.

By partnering with UMG, a leader in music entertainment, MedRhythms can provide patients with a more diverse and culturally rich music collection.

The goal, according to Harris, is to “continue to push the boundaries of music and medicine while having a significant impact on the lives of patients who desperately need this care.” MedRhythms.

According to the two companies, the partnership is one of the first of its kind and will help MedRhythms grow its US Food and Drug Administration-approved prescription music service.

MedRhythms’ flagship product, MR-001, received revolutionary device designation from the FDA in June 2020. This device, intended to help people with chronic walking deficits after stroke, has shown early results positive in clinical trials.

A recently launched clinical trial is evaluating MR-005, an experimental digital therapy that uses sensors, music, and software to improve walking ability in patients with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders. This multi-site study evaluates the clinical efficacy of MR-005 when used remotely at home.