Author: Michels K1, Dubaz O2, Hornthal E3, Bega D4
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, United States.
<sup>2</sup>Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Department of Neurology, United States.
<sup>3</sup>Chicago Dance Therapy, United States.
<sup>4</sup>Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, United States. Electronic address: danny.bega@nm.org.
Conference/Journal: Complement Ther Med.
Date published: 2018 Oct
Other:
Volume ID: 40 , Pages: 248-252 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2018.07.005. Epub 2018 Jul 7. , Word Count: 265
BACKGROUND: Previous studies in Parkinson's Disease (PD) have described benefits of dance for motor and non-motor outcomes, yet few studies specifically look at Dance Therapy (DT) as a specific psychotherapeutic model for PD. DT is the psychotherapeutic use of movement to improve physical, emotional, cognitive, and social integration and wellbeing.
OBJECTIVE: 1) Explore the safety and feasibility of a 10-week DT program for PD. 2) Collect pilot data on efficacy of DT.
DESIGN/METHODS: Prospective, randomized-controlled study in subjects with PD. 13 participants randomized 2:1 to DT (n = 9) or support group (n = 4). Assessments were completed 1-2 weeks prior to the first session and after the final session, and included attendance, Hoehn and Yahr Scale (H&Y), Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS), Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Timed Up and Go, Berg Balance Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Fatigue Severity Scale, Visual Analog Fatigue Scale, Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39, and an exit satisfaction survey.
RESULTS: All participants completed the study. The control group was older and had a higher mean baseline MDS-UPDRS III score (27.56 dance vs. 40.75 control) and H&Y score (2.11 dance vs. 2.50 control). 7 of 9 in DT and all control subjects attended at least 70% of classes. All participants in DT enjoyed the classes and most felt they were beneficial. The greatest improvement in motor measures was in MDS-UPDRS III (-4.12 (dance) vs. -1.75 (control)). Non-motor outcomes were explored as well.
CONCLUSIONS: DT is introduced as an enjoyable mind-body intervention for PD. Further studies powered for efficacy and with groups matched for disease severity are warranted.
Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
KEYWORDS: Dance therapy; Parkinson’s disease
PMID: 30219460 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2018.07.005