Impact of Dance Therapy on Parkinson's Disease

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Parkinson's disease (PD) affects ability of individuals to perform unconscious learned motor tasks, affects quality of life and has been associated with depression. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of dance therapy on motor performance, quality of life and depression in PD patients, by comparing certain symptoms between a group of subjects with PD who undergo ballroom dancing classes and a control group of subjects with PD. The investigators will assess mental status, severity of PD, quality of life and depression using rating scales. Subjects will be randomized to intervention and control group. Intervention group will participate in dance therapy for 12 weeks and will be examined at 12 and 20 weeks. Control group will be examined at same time intervals. Classes will follow a curriculum designed by Arthur Murray Dance Studio Staff. The investigators do not anticipate significant risk for participants.

Official Title
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Impact of Dance Therapy on Parkinson's Disease

Conditions
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Parkinson's Disease

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Ballroom Dancing Classes


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: 18 years and older, both males and females, all races and all ethnicities Idiopathic Parkinson's disease diagnosed using United Kingdom Parkinson's Disease Society brain bank diagnostic criteria Mild to moderate disease severity (Stage 2 to 3 on the Modified Hoehn and Yahr scale) Stable medication regimen for a minimum of 1 month before testing Ability to ambulate independently without using a walking aid Ability to give informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Prior enrollment in a dancing class during the last 6 months Presence of another neurological or medical disorder likely to affect gait or causing frequent falls (rheumatologic/orthopedic disease, stroke, myelopathy, severe neuropathy) Significant cognitive decline (MMSE ≤ 24) Visual deficit Hearing deficit that impairs music perception Psychotic symptoms Symptomatic heart disease Depression associated with suicidal ideation

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: intervention<br>group of patients receiving ballroom dancing classes | Behavioral: Ballroom Dancing Classes<br>* bi-weekly, 12-Week ballroom dance classes<br>|
| No Intervention: control<br>group of patients who will not receive dancing classes. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Effect of ballroom dancing classes on motor function in patients with Parkinson's disease. | The improvement in participant's motor function will be measured by the UPRS III score. The aim is to detect an 18-20% difference in UPDRS III scores among the two groups. | 3 and 5 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Effect of ballroom dancing classes on depression in patients with Parkinson's disease. | The improvement in participant's depression will be measured by the Hamilton Depression Scale. | 3 and 5 months | 
| Effect of ballroom dancing classes on quality of life of patients with Parkinson's disease. | The improvement in participant's quality of life will be measured by the Parkinson's Disease-39 questionnaire PDQ-39 scale. | 3 and 5 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Parkinson, ballroom dancing