Dance therapy for Parkinson's disease: A randomised feasibility trial

Abstract

Background/Aims: To examine the feasibility of two dance programmes for people with Parkinson's disease directed towards improving mobility, balance, gait, and quality of life. Methods: A pilot randomised controlled trial was conducted in Australia. People with idiopathic Parkinson's disease who scored I–IV on the modified Hoehn and Yahr scale were randomly allocated to one of two groups: Argentine tango or mixed-genre (incorporating several dance styles) therapeutic dancing. Dance classes were conducted for 1 hour, once a week for 8 weeks. Concurrently, participants completed a home dance programme. They received a video with 40 minutes of dance steps to be performed at home once a week. In-person group classes comprised a 10-minute warm-up, 45 minutes of dancing routines, and a 5-minute cool-down. Feasibility was the primary outcome, quantified by the number of people agreeing to participate, completion of pre- and post-intervention assessments, attendance, compliance with the classes, and adverse events. Secondary outcomes included mobility, balance, gait, motor disability, and quality of life. Findings: A total of 42 people were screened and 21 participated in the classes. Of these, 18 returned for reassessments. The average compliance with the eight group dance classes was 70% (six classes). No adverse events occurred. Among the secondary outcome variables, statistically significant improvements occurred in mobility, balance, and motor disability in the tango group. Freezing of gait improved for the mixed-dance group. Conclusions: Argentine tango and mixed-genre therapeutic dancing classes accompanied by home programmes are feasible and safe for people in the early to mid stages of Parkinson's disease.