BACKGROUND In a combined animal and human study, we have previously found that a five-day treatment that enhances cortical plasticity also facilitates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB) signaling and increases activated TrkB and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) association in both the cortex and the peripheral lymphocytes. Patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in general show decreased cortical plasticity, as demonstrated by electrophysiological and behavioral studies. Here we test the hypothesis that an exercise program that improves motor function and seems to slow down symptoms’ progression can enhance BDNF-TrkB signaling in lymphocytes. METHODS Sixteen patients with PD underwent a four-week Multidisciplinary Intensive Rehabilitation Treatment (MIRT), which included aerobic training, physical and occupational therapy. Blood was collected before, after two- and four-week MIRT. Lymphocytes were isolated to examine BDNF-TrkB signaling induced by incubation with recombinant human BDNF. TrkB signaling complexes, extracellular-signal-regulated kinase-2 and protein-kinase-B were immunoprecipitated; content of immunocomplexes was determined by Western blotting. RESULTS After MIRT, all patients showed improvement in motor function. TrkB interaction with NMDAR and BDNF-TrkB signaling increased in peripheral lymphocytes at receptor, intracellular mediators and downstream levels. The decrements in UPDRSII and total scores were significantly correlated with the increases in TrkB signaling at receptor, intracellular mediators and NMDAR interaction levels. CONCLUSIONS The significant correlation between reduced UPDRS scores and the changes in lymphocytes’ activity suggest that enhanced BDNF-TrkB signaling in lymphocyte and reduced severity of PD symptoms may be related.

BackgroundSleep disturbances are among the most common non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD), greatly interfering with daily activities and diminishing life quality. Pharmacological treatments have not been satisfactory because of side effects and interactions with anti-parkinsonian drugs. While studies have shown that regular exercise improves sleep quality in normal aging, there is no definitive evidence in PD.MethodsIn a retrospective study, we determined whether an intense physical and multidisciplinary exercise program improves sleep quality in a large group of patients with PD.We analyzed the scores of PD Sleep Scale (PDSS), which was administered twice, 28 days apart, to two groups of patients with PD of comparable age, gender, disease duration and pharmacological treatment. The control group (49 patients) did not receive rehabilitation, The treated group (89 patients) underwent a 28-day multidisciplinary intensive rehabilitation program (three one-hour daily sessions comprising cardiovascular warm-up, relaxation, muscle-stretching, balance and gait training, occupational therapy to improve daily living activities).ResultsAt enrolment, control and treated groups had similar UPDRS and PDSS scores. At re-test, 28 days later, UPDRS and total PDSS scores improved in the treated (p < 0.0001) but not in the control group. In particular, the treated group showed significant improvement in PDSS scores for sleep quality, motor symptoms and daytime somnolence. The control group did not show improvement for any item.ConclusionsThese results suggest that multidisciplinary intensive rehabilitation treatment may have a positive impact on many aspects of sleep in PD.

Background In Parkinson’s disease (PD), skill retention is poor, even when acquisition rate is generally preserved. Recent work in normal subjects suggests that 5 Hz-repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (5Hz-rTMS) may induce phenomena of long-term potentiation at the cortical level. Objective/Hypothesis We thus verified whether, in PD, 5Hz-rTMS enhances retention of a visuo-motor skill that involves the activity of the right posterior parietal cortex. Methods A group of patients with PD was tested in two two-day sessions, separated by one week (treatment and placebo sessions). The first day of each session, they learned to adapt their movements to a step-wise 60° visual rotation. Immediately after the task, either real 5Hz-rTMS (treatment) or sham (placebo) stimulation was applied over the right posterior parietal cortex (P6). Retention of this motor skill was tested the following day. Results In patients with PD, adaptation achieved at the end of training was comparable in the treatment and placebo sessions and was similar to that of a group of age-matched controls. However, retention indices tested on the following day were significantly lower in the placebo compared to the treatment session in which retention indices were restored to the level of the controls. Importantly, reaction and movement time as well as other kinematic measures were the same in the treatment and placebo sessions. Conclusion These results suggest that rTMS applied after the acquisition of a motor skill over specific areas involved in this process might enhance skill retention in PD.

Background: Previous studies have investigated the effects of dance interventions on Parkinson’s motor and non-motor symptoms in an effort to develop an integrated view of dance as a therapeutic intervention. This within-subject study questions whether dance can be simply considered a form of exercise by comparing a Dance for Parkinson’s class with a matched-intensity exercise session lacking dance elements like music, metaphorical language, and social reality of art-partaking.Methods: In this repeated-measure design, 7 adults with Parkinson’s were tested four times; (i) before and (ii) after a Dance for Parkinson’s class, as well as (iii) before and (iv) after a matched-intensity exercise session. Physiological measures included heart rate and electrodermal activity. Self-reported affect and body self-efficacy were collected. Gait symmetry and dual task cost were analyzed using the 6 min walking test (6MWT) and Timed-Up-and-Go test (TUG), respectively.Results: Average heart rate was the same for both conditions, while electrodermal activity was higher during Dance for Parkinson’s. Significant differences were found in body self-efficacy, beauty subscale, symmetry of gait, and dual task performance.Conclusion: Dance, compared to an exercise intervention of matched intensity, yields different outcomes through the means of intrinsic artistic elements, which may influence affective responses, the experience of beauty, self-efficacy, and gait performance.

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We are honored to present this collection of abstracts from the Research and Thesis Poster Session of the 57th American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) Conference in Montreal, Canada held from October 27–30, 2022. This paper features eleven abstracts that showcase the latest research in dance therapy from various perspectives and approaches. These abstracts were selected and curated by Research and Practice committee members, Karolina Bryl, Cecilia Fontanesi, and Chevon Stewart, who were responsible for organizing the Research and Thesis Poster Session. The Research and Thesis Poster Session is a vital component of the ADTA Conference, providing a platform for researchers and practitioners to share their work, exchange ideas, and connect with colleagues. The abstracts presented in this paper offer insights into a broad range of topics, including the use of dance therapy in clinical and community settings, the integration of technology in dance therapy, and the examination of cultural and social factors that impact the practice of dance therapy. We hope this collection of abstracts will inspire and inform future research in dance therapy, and we extend our appreciation to all the presenters for their contributions.

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