Feasibility of an Intensive Trial of Modern Dance for Adults with Parkinson Disease

Abstract

Although preliminary evidence supports the psychophysical benefits of dance for adults with Parkinson disease, guidelines for community-based dance programs await further scrutiny for safety and efficacy. This pilot study was designed to assess the feasibility of an intensive trial of group-delivered modern dance for 11 adults with early-to-middle stage Parkinson’s. The Timed ‘‘Up and Go’’ test and the Fullerton Advanced Balance scale were administered to assess balance safety and re-administered at closure along with a self-reported feedback questionnaire. Video recordings were analyzed for qualitative behavioral change. Pre/posttest comparisons from the Timed ‘‘Up and Go’’ test were not significant, while those from the Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale were significant at the .05 level for the group as a whole (p = .01) with an average score change of +3.1 points. Although qualitative results generally concurred with the social benefits associated with an enjoyable form of expressive exercise, important indicators surfaced bearing on future research and community program designs. These include need for more rigorous stratification of participants and adapting dance class structure to address specific group needs to promote motor learning for sustained functional gains.

Dance for People With Parkinson Disease: What Is the Evidence Telling Us?

“…The sample size of studies ranged from a minimum of 11 studies 38,40,41 to a maximum of 75 studies. 7 All studies except 1 study 33 38 Two studies 39,41 just stated the total number of classes provided during the intervention (10 classes in 2wk) and did not specify the exact number of classes per week.…”

“…7 All studies except 1 study 33 38 Two studies 39,41 just stated the total number of classes provided during the intervention (10 classes in 2wk) and did not specify the exact number of classes per week.…”

“…Two studies 6,38 stated that the intervention was low intensity but did not specify how this was identified. The remaining 10 studies stated that the intervention was progressive 7,10,12,33-35,37,39-41 but did not provide a description of how the intervention was progressed.…”

“…6 40 and another study provided 85-minute classes. 38 The duration of the interventions varied between short periods of 2 and 3 weeks, 38,39,41 medium lengths of 10 to 13 weeks, 7,10,[33][34][35]37 and longer durations of 6 to 12 months .6,12,36,40…”

“…Only 3 studies reported that they monitored for adverse effects. [36][37][38] Three studies reported that participants dropped out because of injuries described as knee pain 7,34 and the aggravation of long-standing sciatica. 39 Tables 3 and 4 list the measurement tools used in each study and the absolute changes for each measure.…”