Community-based Argentine tango dance program is associated with increased activity participation among individuals with Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of a 12-month community-based tango dance program on activity participation among individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial with assessment at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. SETTING: Intervention was administered in the community; assessments were completed in a university laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Volunteers with PD (n=62) enrolled in the study and were randomized to a treatment group; 10 participants did not receive the allocated intervention, and therefore the final analyzed sample included 52 participants. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomly assigned to the tango group, which involved 12 months of twice-weekly Argentine tango dance classes, or to the no intervention control group (n=26 per group). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Current, new, and retained participation in instrumental, leisure, and social activities, as measured by the Activity Card Sort (with the dance activity removed). RESULTS: Total current participation in the tango group was higher at 3, 6, and 12 months compared with baseline (Ps≤.008), while the control group did not change (Ps≥.11). Total activity retention (since onset of PD) in the tango group increased from 77% to 90% (P=.006) over the course of the study, whereas the control group remained around 80% (P=.60). These patterns were similar in the separate activity domains. The tango group gained a significant number of new social activities (P=.003), but the control group did not (P=.71). CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with PD who participated in a community-based Argentine tango class reported increased participation in complex daily activities, recovery of activities lost since the onset of PD, and engagement in new activities. Incorporating dance into the clinical management of PD may benefit participation and subsequently quality of life for this population.

Effects of dance on movement control in Parkinson's disease: a comparison of Argentine tango and American ballroom.

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.