Dance classes improve self-esteem and quality of life in persons with Parkinson's disease.

INTRODUCTION: Dance can reduce motor symptoms in persons with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the effect on psychosocial wellbeing, including self-esteem and quality of life is less clear. METHODS: Forty-nine persons with PD (Hoehn and Yahr stage 1-4) participated in weekly dance classes for a consecutive period of 22 weeks, 36 participants completed the classes. Two baseline measurements (T1a and T1b) were performed during a 2-week control period prior to the dance classes. Post-measurements (T2) were performed immediately after 22 weeks of dance classes. Primary outcome was self-esteem as measured with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Score. RESULTS: Self-esteem scores were stable across the two baseline measurements and improved significantly after the dance classes (1.5 points improvement between T1b and T2, 95% CI 0.3, 2.7; p = 0.012). Additionally, quality of life as measured with the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire 39 improved significantly (3.4 points reduction between T1b and T2, 95%CI - 5.7, - 1.2; p = 0.003) as did motor symptoms as measured with the Movement Disorders Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale-part III (6.2 points reduction between T1b and T2, 95%CI - 10.1, - 2.4; p = 0.002). Balance confidence as measured with the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale did not change. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Dance classes seem to improve self-esteem, quality of life and motor symptoms in persons with PD. These effects should be investigated further in a randomized clinical trial. CLINICAL MESSAGE: Dance classes may be a valuable complementary treatment option in people with PD to improve not only motor symptoms, but also self-esteem and quality of life.

Gender Distribution in Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease: The Effect of Awake versus Asleep Surgery.

There is evidence that men are more likely to undergo deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson's disease (PD), suggesting that women are relatively undertreated. 121 consecutive PD patients undergoing awake DBS with microelectrode recording and intraoperative clinical testing (30 patients, 5 women) or asleep MRI-guided and CT-verified (91 patients, 38 women) bilateral subthalamic nucleus DBS were included in this study. The results showed an increase in the proportion of female patients from 16.7% to 41.8% after changing our operative technique (OR = 5.61; 95% CI: 1.52-20.78; p = 0.010) from awake to asleep, suggesting that women are more likely to undergo DBS when operated asleep.