title: Irish set dancing classes for people with Parkinson's disease: The needs of participants and dance teachers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  As the number of people diagnosed with Parkinson's disease increases, there is a need to develop initiatives that promote health and wellbeing and support self-management. Additionally, as exercise may slow physical decline, there is a need to develop methods that facilitate greater engagement with community-based exercise. The aim of this study is to examine the needs of (1) people with Parkinson's disease and (2) set dancing teachers to enable the development of participant-centred community set dance classes.
  
  
  METHODS
  A mixed methods study design was used. Two consensus group discussions using nominal group technique were held to (1) identify factors pertaining to the needs of people with Parkinson's disease from a set dance class and (2) the educational needs of set dancing teachers to enable them to teach set dancing to people with Parkinson's disease. Group discussions began with silent generation of ideas. A round-robin discussion and grouping of ideas into broader topic areas followed. Finally, participants ranked, by order of priority (1-5), the topic areas developed. Final data analysis involved summation of participants' ranking scores for each topic area.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Rich information on the needs of people with Parkinson's disease from a dance class and the educational guidance sought by set dancing teachers was gathered. Topic areas developed include "teaching method" for set dances and "class environment".
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Accessing community exercise programmes is important for this population. The results of this study will inform the development of an educational resource on Parkinson's disease for set dancing teachers. This resource may facilitate a larger number of teachers to establish sustainable community set dancing classes for people with Parkinson's disease.
authors: Department of Clinical Therapies, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, University of Limerick, Co. Limerick, Ireland. Electronic address: joanne.s@outlook.com.
authors: Joanne
authors: J
authors: Shanahan
authors: Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, Department of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Limerick, Co. Limerick, Ireland.
authors: Orfhlaith Ní
authors: ON
authors: Bhriain
authors: Department of Physiotherapy, School of Allied Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora 3086, Australia.
authors: Meg E
authors: ME
authors: Morris
authors: Department of Neurorehabilitation, Casa di Cura Villa Margherita, Vicenza, Italy.
authors: Daniele
authors: D
authors: Volpe
authors: Department of Clinical Therapies, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, University of Limerick, Co. Limerick, Ireland.
authors: Amanda M
authors: AM
authors: Clifford
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003615:Dancing / Q000523:psychology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology; D013663:Teaching / Q000523:psychology
keywords: Community exercise programmes; Dance; Education; Nominal group technique; Parkinson’s disease