title: A design to investigate the feasibility and effects of partnered ballroom dancing on people with Parkinson disease: randomized controlled trial protocol.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Self-help and physical leisure activities has become increasingly important in the maintenance of safe and functional mobility among an increasingly elderly population. Preventing the cycle of deterioration, falling, inactivity, dependency, and secondary complications in people with Parkinson disease (PD) is a priority. Research has shown that people with PD are interested in dance and although the few existing trials are small, initial proof of principle trials from the United States have demonstrated beneficial effects on balance control, gait, and activity levels. To our knowledge, there has been no research into long-term effects, cost effectiveness, the influence on spinal posture and turning, or the personal insights of dance participants.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine the methodological feasibility of conducting a definitive phase III trial to evaluate the benefits of dance in people with PD. We will build on the proof of principle trials by addressing gaps in knowledge, focusing on areas of greatest methodological uncertainty; the choice of dances and intensity of the program; for the main trial, the availability of partners, the suitability of the currently envisaged primary outcomes, balance and spinal posture; and the key costs of delivering and participating in a dance program to inform economic evaluation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty participants (mild-to-moderate condition) will be randomized to the control (usual care) or experimental (dance plus usual care) groups at a ratio of 15:35. Dance will be taught by professional teachers in a dance center in the South of England. Each participant in the experimental group will dance with his or her spouse, a friend, or a partner from a bank of volunteers. A blinded assessor will complete clinical measures and self-reported ability at baseline, and at 3 and 6 months after randomization. A qualitative study of a subgroup of participants and partners will examine user's views about the appropriateness and acceptability of the intervention, assessment protocol, and general trial procedures. Procedures for an economic evaluation of dance for health care will be developed for the main trial.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Recruitment began in January 2013 and the last participant is expected to complete the trial follow-up in June 2014.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings from our study may provide novel insights into the way people with PD become involved in dance, their views and opinions, and the suitability of our primary and secondary outcomes.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN): 63088686; http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN63088686/63088686 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6QYyjehP7).
authors: University of Southampton, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom. ann@soton.ac.uk.
authors: Ann
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4619-5603
authors: A
authors: Ashburn
authors: Lisa
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2662-6696
authors: L
authors: Roberts
authors: Ruth
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9266-2153
authors: R
authors: Pickering
authors: Helen Clare
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5291-1880
authors: HC
authors: Roberts
authors: Rose
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5329-0908
authors: R
authors: Wiles
authors: Dorit
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4449-1414
authors: D
authors: Kunkel
authors: Sophia
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3611-294X
authors: S
authors: Hulbert
authors: Judy
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0453-1135
authors: J
authors: Robison
authors: Carolyn
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4120-1648
authors: C
authors: Fitton
keywords: Parkinson disease; balance; ballroom dancing; posture