Development and pilot evaluation of an artificial intelligence-based rhythmic auditory stimulation system for personalised training of finger movements in Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease (DRUM-AI).
Cardiff University
About the study:
Huntington’s disease affects the basal ganglia, a part of the brain that helps control movement and timing. When this area is affected, people may find it harder to move smoothly, coordinate actions, or follow a steady rhythm. Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation uses steady beats, such as those in music, to help improve movement.
Our work has shown that rhythmic drumming can support movement and thinking in people with Huntington’s disease and may help slow the decline of brain connections.
Building on this, we created DRUM, a home-based app that teaches rhythmic drumming through 22 short sessions of increasing difficulty. People with Huntington’s disease have tested it and reported enjoying the training, with some perceiving improvements in hand coordination.
However, some found the training either too hard or too repetitive, and most asked for more personalised feedback. To improve this, we have updated DRUM and are now looking for volunteers to help us test the updated version by trying it out for 8 weeks at home.
This will help us collect more data to develop DRUM AI, a next-generation version of the app that uses AI to adapt the training in real time to the user’s needs. This aims to keep the training engaging and more suited to each user’s abilities.
Who can take part:
- Participants must be aged 18 and over.
- Participants must have a good understanding and command of the English language.
- Participants should be willing and able to give informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
- A history of neurological conditions other than Huntington’s disease.
How to take part:
If you are interested and would like to take part in this study, please email hd-drum@cardiff.ac.uk
Researchers will then send information about the study and will arrange a phone or video call to answer any questions.
If you are happy to participate, we researchers will ask for your consent to take part and ask you to complete a few questions about yourself and how Huntington’s disease affects you.
Then, researchers will send you a tablet with the DRUM app and instructions, plus a prepaid return envelope. You will be instructed to tap along to different rhythms. The researchers ask that you use the app for 10-15 minutes per day, 5 times per week for 8 weeks.
When you have finished, researchers will ask for feedback and ask you to return the tablet in the prepaid envelope.
Study closes on 20 July 2026