Evaluating the effects of dance on motor outcomes, non-motor outcomes, and quality of life in people living with Parkinson’s: a feasibility study

Abstract

Background Community-based dance programs for people living with Parkinson’s have grown in popularity over the past two decades. Studies investigating these programs have demonstrated multidimensional benefits in motor, non-motor, and quality of life related outcomes, yet there is a need to focus on the feasibility of larger trials. The primary objective of this study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of conducting a trial investigating dance and Parkinson’s in Northern Ireland. The secondary objectives were to conduct preliminary analyses of the classes’ effects and to assess the appropriateness of outcome measures for a randomized controlled trial. Methods Participants were recruited through the community, Parkinson’s UK, and university contacts to participate in a 12-week dance intervention inspired by the Dance for PD® model. Pre- and post-intervention, participants completed the following outcomes: MDS-UPDRS III, TUG, DT-TUG, Sensory Organization Test, MoCA, Trail Making Tests A&B, Digit Symbol Substitution Test, Digit Span, PDQ-39, FOG-Q, PHQ-9, FES-I, and an exit questionnaire (post-test only). Data were analyzed using paired samples t tests or Wilcoxon signed ranked test. Results Ten people living with Parkinson’s participated. Running a larger trial was deemed infeasible in this setting due to recruitment issues; conversely, the dance intervention was accepted by participants with all but one completing the study. Functional mobility (TUG), symptoms of depression (PHQ-9), and bodily discomfort showed improvement. All other outcomes did not. The exit questionnaire revealed that the social aspect of classes was important, and improvements in mood or mental state were cited most frequently as perceived benefits. Outcome measures were feasible, with some changes suggested for future trials. Conclusions This study highlighted the infeasibility of running a larger trial using this design in this setting despite demonstrating the acceptability of implementing a dance program in Northern Ireland for people living with Parkinson’s. The results support existing evidence demonstrating that dance may improve functional mobility and symptoms of depression in people living with Parkinson’s, though the study design and small sample size prevent the generalizability of results. The findings also support the idea that dancing has the potential to support several aspects of physical, emotional, mental, and social health.

Effects of Biodanza® SRT on Motor, Cognitive, and Behavioral Symptoms in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease: A Randomized Controlled Study

“…Finally, patients in the control group reported an increase in physical discomfort, whereas this was not observed in patients who participated. This finding is in line with previous evidence, revealing the beneficial effect of dance in producing a shift from painful to pleasant bodily sensations and relieving pain in PD patients [74] and other clinical groups [75].…”

The Role of Physical Activity in Adjunctive Nursing Management of Neuro-Degenerative Diseases among Older Adults: A Systematic Review of Interventional Studies

“…We screened all of these records and excluded 56 based on titles and abstracts, leaving 475 articles for full-text eligibility assessment. Upon detailed review, we excluded 388 articles for not meeting our specific inclusion criteria, resulting in 19 studies being included in the final review [47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65]. Each of these 19 studies was accounted for in our report, ensuring a comprehensive and transparent documentation of our systematic review process, as shown in Figure 1.…”

“…The risk of bias assessment shown in Figure 2 reflects a thorough evaluation of 19 studies included in the systematic review [47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65] In conclusion, the aggregate evidence from the risk of bias assessment points to a predominantly reliable and methodologically sound collection of studies, with isolated issues that warrant careful consideration. The overall low risk of bias across the majority of studies provides a solid foundation for drawing reliable conclusions in the systematic review, while the few instances of higher risk or some concerns emphasize the need for a cautious and balanced interpretation of some individual study outcomes.…”

“…Dance interventions, for instance, can integrate motor, cognitive, and psychosocial stimulation. Carapellotti et al (2022) demonstrated that a 12-week Dance for Parkinson's program improved symptoms of depression and discomfort while bolstering functional mobility in individuals with Parkinson's disease [49]. Morris et al (2023) verified the practicality of transitioning such dance programs online to enhance accessibility [50,108].…”

If Art Were a Drug: Implications for Parkinson’s Disease

“…Evidence from prior studies: Several studies have reported that dance is associated with improved motor scores on the Movement Disorders Society UPDRS part III (MDS-UPDRS III), functional mobility as measured by the Timed Up & Go, gait speed, balance measured by the MiniBest Test, postural control, and falls [60,[69][70][71][72][73][74]. In a meta-analysis, Hasan et al [75] found that dance compared to exercise improved the MDS-UPDRS III, Timed Up & Go, Berg Balance Scale, and the MiniBest Test, but found no difference with respect to freezing of gait and the 6min walk test change.…”