A mixed-methods study into ballet for people living with Parkinson's

Abstract

Background: Parkinson's is a neurological disease that is physically debilitating and can be socially isolating. Dance is growing in popularity for people with Parkinson's and claims have been made for its benefits. The paper details a mixed-methods study that examined a 12-week dance project for people with Parkinson's, led by English National Ballet. Methods: The effects on balance, stability and posture were measured through the Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale and a plumb-line analysis. The value of participation and movement quality were interpreted through ethnographic methods, grounded theory and Effort analysis. Results: Triangulation of results indicates that people were highly motivated, with 100% adherence, and valued the classes as an important part of their lives. Additionally, results indicated an improvement in balance and stability, although not in posture. Conclusions: Dancing may offer benefit to people with Parkinson's through its intellectual, artistic, social and physical aspects. The paper suggests that a range of research methods is fundamental to capture the importance of multifaceted activity, such as dance, to those with Parkinson's.

Dance for PD: a preliminary investigation of effects on motor function and quality of life among persons with Parkinson’s disease (PD)

“…Results similar to ours in suggesting the benefits of dance beyond physical assessment scores were also reported by the English National Ballet (Houston and McGill 2012). These results support the recommendation of the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research at the National Institutes of Health, which described best practices for using mixed methods designs (inclusion of both quantitative and qualitative data) in the health sciences (Creswell et al 2011).…”

“…Recent reports have found positive effects on balance, locomotion, gait, and aspects of quality of life from several types of dance classes (Westheimer 2008;Earhart 2009;Hackney et al 2007;Hackney and Earhart 2009a, b, c;Heiberger et al 2011;Houston and McGill 2012). Execution of dance sequences requires motor planning and memory.…”

Dance therapy for individuals with Parkinson's disease: improving quality of life

“…23 Furthermore, improvements in HRQOL were found in a case study of a severely mobility-impaired participant with Stage V PD. 40 In a mixed-methods study examining the effects of a ballet class that included participants with PD, 47 the participants reported being highly motivated and valued dance as being important. When evaluated, modern dance in the guise of the very popular "Dance for PD" class format showed a trend towards positive influence on HRQOL in those with PD in an uncontrolled study.…”

Performing arts: Benefits and potentials within special education and ASCs

“…The Culture and Sport Evidence Programme, 2010; Connolly & Redding, 2010;Cuypers et al, 2012;Houston & McGill, 2012).…”