Investigating Affective and Motor Improvements with Dance in Parkinson’s Disease

BackgroundResearch has supported the notion that dance alleviates motor symptoms for people with Parkinsons disease (PD) illustrated by observed improvements in gait, balance, and quality of life. However, what remains unclear is whether engaging in weekly dance classes also positively influences nonmotor symptoms of PD, such as affect regulation (mood).\n\nObjectivesTo examine depressive symptoms of participants in a dance program for people with PD, and to extend previous findings on the topics for motor symptoms.\n\nMethodsPeople with PD (n=23) and age-matched healthy controls (n=11) between the ages of 58-75 (M=67.91, SD=5.43) participated in a weekly Dance for PD(R) class. Nonmotor symptoms of PD were assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), administered at three time points over the 1st year of a newly-developed dance program. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) were also administered at three time points to assess motor function.\n\nResultsLongitudinal mixed methods analysis showed significant improvements in GDS scores, when examining effects of the dance class over the time, with a significant main effect of time (p < 0.01) and condition: pre/post dance class (p < 0.025). Significant improvements were also observed across the motor tests of BBS (p < 0.001) and TUG (p < 0.001) measurements.\n\nConclusionOur findings suggest dance can facilitate positive improvements in both motor and mood related symptoms of PD. These findings show important nonmotor effects of dance as an adjunct treatment for mood that may reduce the burden of this disease.