title: Dance for people with Parkinson disease: what is the evidence telling us?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  (1) To appraise and synthesize the literature on dance interventions for individuals with Parkinson disease (PD); (2) to provide information regarding the frequency, intensity, duration, and type of dance used in these programs; and (3) to inform the development of future studies evaluating dance interventions in this population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight databases (MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature [CINAHL], the Allied and Complementary Medicine Database [AMED], SPORTDiscus, PubMed, PubMed Central, Sage, and ScienceDirect) were electronically searched in April 2014. The references lists from the included articles were also searched.
  
  
  METHODS
  Studies retrieved during the literature search were reviewed by 2 reviewers independently. Suitable articles were identified by applying inclusion criteria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data regarding participants and the frequency, intensity, duration, and type of dance form used were extracted. The effect that each dance program had on defined outcomes and the feasibility of each program were also reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirteen articles were identified. The quality of studies varied, and methodological limitations were evident in some. The evidence evaluated suggests that two 1-hour dance classes per week over 10 to 13 weeks may have beneficial effects on endurance, motor impairment, and balance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dance may be helpful for some people with PD. This article provides preliminary information to aid clinicians when implementing dance programs for people with PD. Higher-quality multicenter studies are needed to determine the effect of other dance genres and the optimal therapy volume and intensity.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Therapies, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland. Electronic address: joanne.s@outlook.com.
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shanahan
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, School of Allied Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Meg E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.affiliation: Department of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Orfhlaith Ni
authors.initials: ON
authors.lastname: Bhriain
authors.affiliation: Statistical Consulting Unit, Department of Maths and Statistics, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Saunders
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Therapies, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Amanda M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Clifford
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003614:Dance Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011788:Quality of Life; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Dance therapy; Exercise; Parkinson disease; Rehabilitation