Improvements in balance and gait speed after a 12 week dance intervention for Parkinson's disease

Preliminary research suggests dance is beneficial for people with Parkinson's Disease and can serve to complement conventional medical treatments. There are many types of dance classes however, the Dance for Parkinson's Disease model has shown rapid growth in participant attendance and interest over time. Unlike other studies where the description of the dance program has been rather vague, this model has clear principles and a specific structure which has led to more research in this model over others. Whilst prelimary research has demonstrated that this intervention is potentially quite effective, what remains unknown is the specific length of dance intervention required, measured in weeks and hours, until improvements are seen in motor impairments and quality of life in Parkinson's Disease. Methods: We aimed to replicate and extend previous findings where enhancements were shown on short-term motor (1-day) and quality of life in Parkinson's Disease. We conducted a 12-week pilot study using the Dance for Parkinson's Disease model. This study was a quasi-experimental, non-controlled study of nine (9) participants, who completed 2 motor (Berg Balance Scale and Timed up and Go) and quality of life questionnaires (Quality of Life Scale and questionnaire of wellbeing) before and after the second and twelfth class. Results: Balance and gait improvements in short-term (1-day) and long-term (12-weeks) in the Berg Balance Scale. No improvements in quality of life were observed. Enhancements were observed in one-third (34%) less dance intervention duration (15 hours), than previous studies. Conclusions: Participation in dance classes, improved motor symptoms in both short (1-day) and long-term (12-week) durations. Overall, quality of life did not change. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.