title: Pilot study of a targeted dance class for physical rehabilitation in children with cerebral palsy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This pilot study evaluates the effects of a targeted dance class utilizing classical ballet principles for rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy on balance and upper extremity control.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve children with cerebral palsy (ages 7-15 years) with Gross Motor Function Classification scores II-IV participated in this study and were assigned to either a control group or targeted dance class group. Targeted dance class group participated in 1-h classes three times per week in a 4-week period. The Pediatric Balance Scale and the Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test were administered before, after, and 1 month after the targeted dance class.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Improvements in the Pediatric Balance Scale were present in the targeted dance class group in before versus after and before versus 1 month follow-up comparisons (p-value = 0.0088 and p-value = 0.019, respectively). The Pediatric Balance Scale changes were not significant in the control group. The Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test did not reach statistical differences in either group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Classical ballet as an art form involves physical training, musical accompaniment, social interactions, and emotional expression that could serve as adjunct to traditional physical therapy. This pilot study demonstrated improvements in balance control. A larger study with a more homogeneous sample is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology & Community Health, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Joffrey Ballet Academy, The Official School of the Joffrey Ballet, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Citlali
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: López-Ortiz
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Tara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Egan
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Deborah J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Gaebler-Spira
keywords: Cerebral palsy; Pediatric Balance Scale; pediatric rehabilitation; pilot study; targeted dance class