Objective:

To assess the effects of rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) on gait characteristics and cortical activation in individuals with Parkinson’s disease exhibiting freezing of gait (PD + FOG) compared to healthy controls, specifically evaluating two external auditory cueing techniques and one internal cueing strategy.

Key Findings:

• Individuals with PD + FOG exhibited reduced gait speed, stride length, and increased postural sway.
• Neuroimaging showed decreased activation in S1, PMC, and PFC compared to HC, despite increased intracortical connectivity.
• RAS interventions improved connectivity between TLC and PMC, enhanced PFC intrinsic connectivity with music therapy, but imagined cues may hinder sensorimotor integration.

Interpretation:

RAS can selectively alter functional connectivity between the prefrontal cortex and sensorimotor circuits, potentially improving freezing of gait through neural entrainment and network reconfiguration, which may enhance motor performance.

Limitations:

• Small sample size may limit generalizability.
• Variability in individual responses to RAS interventions may affect the overall efficacy and conclusions drawn from the study.

Conclusion:

The study provides insights into the neurophysiological mechanisms of freezing of gait and suggests potential pathways for developing targeted neuromodulation therapies.