Answer: Try doing the Tango!
Fox Files: Dancing the Tango, May Help Parkinson’s
From the video intro:
They say it takes two to Tango, but what happens if one of them has Parkinson’s disease. Researchers from Washington University are conducting a study, funded by the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, to see if Tango dancing can help diminish Parkinson’s debilitating effects.
Randomized Controlled Trial of Community-Based Dancing to Modify Disease Progression in Parkinson Disease.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Tango dancing has been effective in improving measures of physical function in people with Parkinson disease (PD). However, all previous studies were institution-based, tested participants on medication, and employed short-term interventions.
OBJECTIVE:
To determine the effects of a 12-month community-based tango program for individuals with PD on disease severity and physical function.
METHODS:
Sixty-two participants were randomly assigned to a twice weekly, community-based Argentine Tango program or a Control group (no intervention). Participants were assessed off anti-Parkinson medication at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. The primary outcome measure was the Movement Disorders Society-Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale 3 (MDS-UPDRS-3). Secondary outcome measures were the MDS-UPDRS-1, MDS-UPDRS-2, MiniBESTest balance test; Freezing of Gait Questionnaire (FOG_Q); 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT); gait velocity for comfortable forward, fast as possible forward, dual task, and backward walking; and Nine-Hole Peg Test (9HPT).
RESULTS:
Groups were not different at baseline. Overall, the Tango group improved whereas the Control group showed little change on most measures. For the MDS-UPDRS-3, there was no significant change in the Control group from baseline to 12 months, whereas the Tango group had a reduction of 28.7% (12.8 points). There were significant group by time interactions for MDS-UPDRS-3, MiniBESTest, FOG_Q, 6MWT, forward and dual task walking velocities, and 9HPT in favor of the dance group.
CONCLUSIONS:
Improvements in the Tango group were apparent off medication, suggesting that long-term participation in tango may modify progression of disability in PD.
Short duration, intensive tango dancing for Parkinson disease: an uncontrolled pilot study.
Source
Program in Physical Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
The goal of this pilot study was to determine the effects of short duration, intensive tango lessons on functional mobility in people with Parkinson disease.
DESIGN:
This study employed a within-subject, prospective, repeated measures design.
SUBJECTS/PATIENTS:
Fourteen people with idiopathic Parkinson disease participated.
SETTING:
All balance and gait assessments were performed in a laboratory, but dance classes took place in a large, open classroom.
INTERVENTIONS:
Participants completed ten 1.5-h long Argentine tango dance lessons within 2 weeks. Their balance, gait and mobility were assessed before and after the training sessions.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
Measures included the Berg Balance Scale, the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale, gait velocity, functional ambulation profile, step length, stance and single support percent of gait, Timed Up and Go, and the 6 min walk.
RESULTS:
Participants significantly improved on the Berg Balance Scale (effect size (ES)=0.83, p=0.021), Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale Motor Subscale III (ES=-0.64, p=0.029), and percent of time spent in stance during forward walking (ES=0.97, p=0.015). Non-significant improvements were noted on the Timed Up and Go (ES=-0.38, p=0.220) and 6 min walk (ES=0.35, p=0.170).
CONCLUSIONS:
Frequent social dance lessons completed within a short time period appear to be appropriate and effective for these individuals with mild-moderately severe Parkinson disease.
Effects of dance on movement control in Parkinson’s disease: a comparison of Argentine tango and American ballroom.
Source
Program in Physical Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63108, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
The basal ganglia may be selectively activated during rhythmic, metered movement such as tango dancing, which may improve motor control in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Other partner dances may be more suitable and preferable for those with Parkinson’s disease. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of tango, waltz/foxtrot and no intervention on functional motor control in individuals with Parkinson’s disease.
DESIGN:
This study employed a randomized, between- notsubject, prospective, repeated measures design.
SUBJECTS/PATIENTS:
Fifty-eight people with mild-moderate Parkinson’s disease participated.
METHODS:
Participants were randomly assigned to tango, waltz/foxtrot or no intervention (control) groups. Those in the dance groups attended 1-h classes twice a week, completing 20 lessons in 13 weeks. Balance, functional mobility, forward and backward walking were evaluated before and after the intervention.
RESULTS:
Both dance groups improved more than the control group, which did not improve. The tango and waltz/foxtrot groups improved significantly on the Berg Balance Scale, 6-minute walk distance, and backward stride length. The tango group improved as much or more than those in the waltz/foxtrot group on several measures.
CONCLUSION:
Tango may target deficits associated with Parkinson’s disease more than waltz/foxtrot, but both dances may benefit balance and locomotion.
