Dance can improve motor parameters of the disease and patients' functional mobility.

Aims (1) To evaluate mental health symptoms in people with Parkinson's (PwP) in self-isolation, before and during the in Brazil;(2) to explore associations between mental health and physical activity levels. Methods An observational cross-sectional survey using retrospective data. PwP from the Brazilian territory, both sexes, no age limit, in self-isolation due to COVID-19 pandemic, were invited to complete an online self-administered and validated questionnaire. Demographic data (sex, age, Brazilian state they lived in, levels of education, and household income), days in self-isolation, time of diagnosis, and symptoms that bothered most were reported. Self-reported levels of physical activity and mental health symptoms (depression, anxiety, fear, and thoughts of death), before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, were assessed. ResultsThe participants were 156 individuals with PD (64 ± 11 years), from both sexes (50% women; 50% men), resident in the 5 Brazilian regions. There was a worse on mental health symptoms over the time: anxiety [effect size = − 0.52; 95% CI (− 0.70; − 0.28); p < .001], fear [effect size = − 0.58; 95% CI (− 0.76; − 0.34); p < .001], and thoughts of death [effect size = − 0.43; 95% CI (− 072;-0.02); p = .001]. A lower physical activity level during the pandemic is related to increased probability of thoughts of death [crude OR = 1.84; 95% CI (0.98; 3.46); p = 0.05; adjusted OR = 2.98; 95% CI (− 0.01; 2.19); p = 0.05]. Anxiety, fear and depression were not associated with physical activity levels. Conclusions Anxiety, fear and thoughts of death worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic in comparison with the period before COVID-19. Lower physical activity level during the pandemic was related to an increased probability of thoughts of death.

Background Parkinson’s disease (PD) causes motor and nonmotor disorders in patients. Unlike aerobic training, potential adaptations from the practice of dance are less understood in PD, particularly compared with better known exercise modes. This study aimed to verify and compare the effects of a Brazilian dance program, inspired by Samba and Forrró rhythms, and a walking program on functional mobility and spatiotemporal gait parameters in patients with PD. Methods Eighteen participants with PD were divided into a dance group (DG) and a walking group (WG) and were assessed before and after an intervention period of 24 1-h sessions, performed twice per week for 12 weeks. The timed-up-and-go test (TUG) and walking kinematics at self-selected speed (SSS) and fast speed (FS) were determined. The generalized estimating equation method was used to compare the DG and WG pre- and post-intervention and to evaluate the group*time interaction (α <  0.05). Results Both groups demonstrated a significant improvement in TUG test at SSS ( p = 0.02; effect size [ES] = 0.42) and FS ( p = 0.02; ES = 0.24). In general, spatiotemporal parameters remained unchanged, except at SSS, in which the DG increased the stride frequency ( p = 0.011; ES = 0.72). At FS, the swing time demonstrated a significant group*time interaction ( p <  0.001; ES = 1.10), in which the two groups exhibited different behaviors: DG decreased ( p = 0.015) and WG increased ( p = 0.012). Conclusions Functional mobility improved similarly in both groups. The results suggest that a 12-week program of Brazilian dance was sufficient to produce improvements in functional mobility and gait in individuals with PD. Trial registration This study is registered with the International Clinical Trial Registry under number NCT03370315 . Registered December 28, 2017 - Retrospectively registered.

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