Effectiveness of a dance-physiotherapy combined intervention in Parkinson's disease: a randomized controlled pilot trial

Background Physical therapies have been recommended as crucial components in Parkinson's disease (PD) rehabilitation. Objective The study aims to examine the effectiveness of a new dance-physiotherapy combined intervention, called DArT method, in mild PD patients. Methods A prospective, randomized, single-blind, controlled pilot trial was conducted on 38 mild PD patients under dopaminergic therapy. The intervention consisted in an add-on protocol: the control group received 1 h of conventional physiotherapy followed by 1 h of conventional physiotherapy each day, 3 times a week, for 5 weeks. The experimental group received 1 h of conventional physiotherapy followed by 1 h of dance class each day, 3 times a week, for 5 weeks. The week before and after the training period, patients were assessed for motor, cognitive, emotional, and sensory components of PD, with MDS-UPDRS-III as primary outcome measure. Results DArT method was associated with a 2.72-point reduction in the post-treatment MDS-UPDRS-III total score compared to control group (95% CI - 5.28, - 0.16, p = 0.038, d = 0.71), and with a 2.16-point reduction in the post-treatment MDS-UPDRS-III upper body subscore (95% CI - 3.56, - 0.76, p = 0.003, d = 1.02). Conversely, conventional physiotherapy program was associated with a 2.95-point reduction in the post-treatment trait anxiety compared to the experimental group (95% CI 0.19, 5.71, p = 0.037, d = 0.70). Withdrawal and fall rates were equal to 0% in both groups. Conclusion DArT method showed to be safe, well accepted, and more effective than an intensive program of conventional physiotherapy in improving motor impairment in mild PD.

Automated summary

The study demonstrated that the DArT method was more effective than conventional physiotherapy in improving motor impairment in mild PD patients, and was found to be safe and well accepted. The experimental group showed significant improvements in MDS-UPDRS-III scores and upper body subscores, while conventional physiotherapy had better effects on reducing trait anxiety levels.