title: Is Irish set dancing feasible for people with Parkinson's disease in Ireland?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate if community-based Irish set dancing is feasible in Irish adults with Parkinson's disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Over an eight week period, ten participants attended one set dancing class per week and completed a home programme in parallel. Feasibility was assessed by monitoring adverse effects, participants' verbal feedback, compliance rates and feedback from an exit questionnaire. Participants were assessed using the Berg balance scale, 6-min walk test, UPDRS-3 and PDQ-39, before and after the intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No adverse effects were detected. Attendance at classes was 86%. Compliance with the home programme was 67%. Findings from the exit questionnaire showed participants enjoyed participating and reported improvements in aspects of health including balance. Quality of life improved with the dance programme and there was a trend toward improvement on the UPDRS-3.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest community-based Irish set dancing is a feasible form of exercise that can positively influence quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Therapies, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, University of Limerick, Co. 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 3086, Australia.
authors.forename: Meg E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.affiliation: Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, Department of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Limerick, Co. Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Orfhlaith Ni
authors.initials: ON
authors.lastname: Bhriain
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurorehabilitation, Casa di Cura Villa Margherita, Vicenza, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Volpe
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University College Hospital, Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Therapies, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, University of Limerick, Co. Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Amanda M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Clifford
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003615:Dancing; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Community rehabilitation; Dance; Parkinson's disease; Physical activity