Impacts of dance on cognition, psychological symptoms and quality of life in Parkinson’s disease

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Kalyani, H.H.N.^{a; b; c; *} | Sullivan, K.A.^{d; e} | Moyle, G.^f | Brauer, S.^g | Jeffrey, E.R.^{h; i} | Kerr, G.K.^{a; b; *}

Affiliations: [a] Movement Neuroscience Program, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia | [b] School of Exercise and Nutrition Science, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia | [c] Department of Allied Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka | [d] School of Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia | [e] Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia | [f] School of Creative Practice, Faculty of Creative Industries, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia | [g] School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia | [h] Queensland Ballet, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia | [i] Dance for Parkinson’s Australia, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: H.H.N. Kalyani and Graham Kerr, Movement Neuroscience Program, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, and School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Q Block – IHBI, 60 Musk Avenue, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia. Tel.: +617 3138 6303; E-mail: Nadeesha Kalyani [email protected]; E-mail: Graham Kerr [email protected].

Abstract: BACKGROUND:While dance may improve motor features in Parkinson’s disease (PD), it is not yet clear if the benefits extend to non-motor features. OBJECTIVE:To determine whether dance classes based on Dance for PD®, improve cognition, psychological symptoms and Quality of Life (QoL) in PD. METHODS:Participants were allocated to a Dance Group (DG; n = 17) or Control Group (CG: n = 16). Participants had early-stage PD (Hoehn & Yahr: DG = 1.6±0.7, CG = 1.5±0.8) with no cognitive impairment (Addenbrooke’s score: DG = 93.2±3.6, CG = 92.6±4.3). The DG undertook a one-hour class, twice weekly for 12 weeks, while the CG had treatment as usual. Both groups were assessed for disease severity (MDS-UPDRS), cognition (NIH Toolbox® cognition battery, Trail Making Test), psychological symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, MDS-UPDRS-I) and QoL (PDQ-39, MDS-UPDRS-II). RESULTS:Group comparison of pre-post change scores showed that selected cognitive skills (executive function and episodic memory), psychological symptoms (anxiety and depression) as well as QoL (PDQ-39 summary index) were significantly improved by the intervention (DG > CG, p’s < 0.05, Cohen’s d > 0.8). DISCUSSIONS and CONCLUSION:Dance classes had a clear benefit on psychological symptoms, QoL and a limited cognitive benefit. Follow-up assessment is required to confirm the durability of these effects.

Keywords: Parkinson’s disease, dance, cognition, psychological symptoms, quality of life

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-192788

Journal: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 45, no. 2, pp. 273-283, 2019