Music helps keep Golden Valley Parkinson's patients going

GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. (AP) - Belly laughs and rousing songs open a weekly choral gathering at the Struthers Parkinsons Center in Golden Valley.

All have Parkinsons disease, a degenerative condition that attacks the nervous system. There is no cure.

Even though the disease generally is not considered funny, music therapist Sandi Holten wants her patients to laugh. That helps loosen and exercise torso and face muscles rigid with stiffness, a symptom of Parkinsons.

Hah, hah, she prompts, Everyone!

Hah, hah, take that, Parkinsons! the patients shout back.

Then, with Holten at an electronic keyboard, they all begin to sing Take Me Out to the Ball Game.

After an hour of vocal exercises and songs, the chorus members bid Holten goodbye until next weeks session. Next on her agenda is a one-on-one session with a patient.

Art Grell, 67, is a broad-shouldered bear of a man. But he no longer has a vigorous stride. Instead, Grell takes slow, halting steps, almost a shuffle, another effect of the disease.

A person with Parkinsons has rigidity throughout their body, Holten told Minnesota Public Radio News (http://bit.ly/1MHmpNw ). Thats one of the primary symptoms.

As Grell takes a seat, Holten asks him to hit paddles in time with the music.

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Music helps keep Golden Valley Parkinson's patients going