Effects of a short duration, high dose contact improvisation dance workshop on Parkinson disease: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
This study explored the feasibility and possible benefits of contact improvisation (CI) as an exercise intervention for individuals with PD.


METHODS
This was an uncontrolled pilot study.


METHODS
Eleven people with PD (H&Y=2.4 ± 0.4) participated in a workshop of 10 1.5-h CI classes over 2 weeks, dancing with previously trained student CI dancers.


METHODS
Measures of disease severity, balance, functional mobility, and gait were compared 1 week before and after the workshop.


RESULTS
Participants demonstrated improvements on the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale-Motor Subsection and Berg balance scores, along with increased swing and decreased stance percentages during walking. Backward step length also increased. Participants expressed a high level of enjoyment and interest in taking future CI classes.


CONCLUSIONS
This pilot study supports the feasibility of CI as an intervention to address mobility limitations associated with PD.
Performing Arts Department, and School of Medicine, Program in Physical Therapy,Washington University in St. Louis, 4444 Forest Park Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108-2212, USA.
David
D
Marchant
Jennifer L
JL
Sylvester
Gammon M
GM
Earhart
D000368:Aged; D003614:Dance Therapy; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D004856:Postural Balance; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking