Shake Your Groove: A feasibility study of mixed-genre improvisational dance in people with Parkinson’s disease.

To explore the feasibility of a physiotherapist-designed mixed-genre improvisational dance program involving Argentine tango and contact improvisation for people with Parkinson’s disease (PwP), and to evaluate preliminary efficacy on motor, non-motor symptoms and quality of life (QoL).

A prospective single-arm single-centre feasibility study delivered eight, 60-minute dance classes over four weeks. Pre- and post- testing occurred within one week preceding and following the intervention. Feasibility criteria were established a priori as recruitment >50% of people who met eligibility criteria and expressed interest within a 3-month timeframe, attendance >80%, 20% dropout rate, participant satisfaction >30/50, and no serious adverse events. Preliminary efficacy measures included: Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test, Movement Disorder Society-Sponsored Revision of the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale: Parts I & III, and Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire-39.

Seven PwP (aged 73 ± 4) completed the study. Feasibility was met for recruitment (100%), attendance (86.6%), satisfaction (31/50), and safety, but not for attrition (22.2%). All group-level results were statistically insignificant, though individual effects varied.

An Argentine tango and contact improvisation mixed-genre dance program was considered feasible. An interesting outcome of the study was the positive reception from care-partners of PwP. Our study found the mixed-genre improvisational dance classes, where the simple partnered dance steps of tango blended with the unique freedom of expression taught in contact improvisation allowed PwP to feel included in a safe environment while working at their personal experience levels.  Larger studies might be required to better evaluate attrition and provide further insight into efficacy.

To our knowledge, this is the first study to design and implement a mixed-genre tango and contact improvisation classes for PwP. Although the study did not show statistically significant changes, the benefits reported by the both the PwP and their care-partners warrants further investigation.  Specifically around training physiotherapists to deliver safe, individualised dance programs as a clinical alternative to exercise.