Via the Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy
<http://www.jnpt.org/pt/re/jnpt/abstract.01253086-200712000-00003.htm;jsessionid=H6TcP4Mp5lLJT0GMFQn8JGyTQd6wfpcyryTQ19nj18DGDWWMvsbC%21-383192544%21181195628%218091%21-1?index=1&database=ppvovft&results=1&count=10&searchid=1&nav=search>:
Effects of Tango on Functional Mobility in Parkinson's Disease: A
Preliminary Study.
Recent research has shown that dance, specifically tango, may be an
appropriate and effective strategy for ameliorating functional
mobility deficits in people who are frail and elderly. Individuals
with Parkinson's disease (PD) experience declines in functional
mobility that may be even more pronounced than those experienced by
frail elderly individuals without PD. The purpose of this study was
to compare the effects of two movement programs: tango classes or
exercise classes. Nineteen subjects with PD were randomly assigned
to a tango group or a group exercise class representative of the
current classes offered in our geographical area for individuals
with PD. Subjects completed a total of 20 tango or exercise classes
and were evaluated the week before and the week following the
intervention. Both groups showed significant improvements in overall
Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) score and
nonsignificant improvements in self-reported Freezing of Gait. In
addition, the tango group showed significant improvements on the
Berg Balance Scale. The exercise group did not improve on this
measure. Finally, the tango group showed a trend toward improvement
on the Timed Up and Go test that was not observed in the exercise
group. Future studies with a larger sample are needed to confirm and
extend our observation that tango may be an effective intervention
to target functional mobility deficits in individuals with PD.
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