title: Dance for PD: a preliminary investigation of effects on motor function and quality of life among persons with Parkinson's disease (PD).
abstract: In 2001, Dance for Parkinson's disease (DfPD(®)) classes for persons with Parkinson's disease and care partners were developed by Brooklyn Parkinson Group and Mark Morris Dance Group. A previous assessment suggested that individuals experience positive benefits from DfPD(®). The current preliminary uncontrolled study investigated the effects of a dance intervention on several motor and quality of life aspects of PD following 16 sessions (8 weeks; 20 h) taught by professional dancers/teachers. A mixed methods design was used to determine the effects of the class. Assessment instruments administered at baseline and post-intervention included the Hoehn and Yahr, UPDRS (part III), Berg Balance Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and PDQ-39 and individual interviews after the last class. Hoehn and Yahr scores ranged from 1 to 4. UPDRS III total scores and sub scores of gait and tremor improved following the intervention (P < 0.05). During interviews participants reported physical, emotional, and social benefits. Despite the diversity of baseline measures post-class interview results were consistently positive across the sample. Twelve of 14 subjects (mean age 66.2) with idiopathic PD completed the sessions. After 4 years, four participants regularly attended DfPD(®) classes. The low attrition rate and continued attendance suggest notable adherence to the DfPD(®) class. The importance of the results is both clinical and conceptual, highlighting the value of using both quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate the benefits of dance with PD.
authors.affiliation: Brooklyn Parkinson Group, Brooklyn, NY, USA, oliewestheimer@brooklynparkinsongroup.org.
authors.forename: Olie
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Westheimer
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McRae
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Henchcliffe
authors.forename: Arman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fesharaki
authors.forename: Sofya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Glazman
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ene
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bodis-Wollner
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers; D003614:Dance Therapy / Q000379:methods; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
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