Effects of a ballet-based dance intervention on gait variability and balance confidence of people with Parkinson’s

TY - JOUR

T1 - Effects of a ballet-based dance intervention on gait variability and balance confidence of people with Parkinson’s

AU - Houston, Sara

AU - McGill, Ashley

AU - Lee, Raymond

PY - 2018/3/6

Y1 - 2018/3/6

N2 - Background: Dance has shown to be beneficial for people with Parkinson’s. However, there is a lack of research on ballet for this population. The present study aimed to determine the effect of weekly ballet classes on gait variability and balance confidence for people with Parkinson’s.Methods: The study follows a non-randomized, controlled project evaluation design. A group of 19 people with Parkinson’s who were already involved in weekly ballet classes volunteered for this research. A control group of 13 people with Parkinson’s were asked to not participate in dance classes across the duration of the study. Results: The study did not demonstrate significant effects of weekly ballet classes on gait variability or balance confidence. Conclusions: These findings differ from recent studies that suggest dancing can improve balance and gait for this population. There is a need to examine the optimal ballet class frequency required to elicit any potential positive change.© 2018, Taylor & Francis. The attached document (embargoed until 06/03/2018) is an author produced version of a paper published in Arts & Health, uploaded in accordance with the publisher’s self- archiving policy. The final published version (version of record) is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/17533015.2018.1443947. Some minor differences between this version and the final published version may remain. We suggest you refer to the final published version should you wish to cite from it.

AB - Background: Dance has shown to be beneficial for people with Parkinson’s. However, there is a lack of research on ballet for this population. The present study aimed to determine the effect of weekly ballet classes on gait variability and balance confidence for people with Parkinson’s.Methods: The study follows a non-randomized, controlled project evaluation design. A group of 19 people with Parkinson’s who were already involved in weekly ballet classes volunteered for this research. A control group of 13 people with Parkinson’s were asked to not participate in dance classes across the duration of the study. Results: The study did not demonstrate significant effects of weekly ballet classes on gait variability or balance confidence. Conclusions: These findings differ from recent studies that suggest dancing can improve balance and gait for this population. There is a need to examine the optimal ballet class frequency required to elicit any potential positive change.© 2018, Taylor & Francis. The attached document (embargoed until 06/03/2018) is an author produced version of a paper published in Arts & Health, uploaded in accordance with the publisher’s self- archiving policy. The final published version (version of record) is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/17533015.2018.1443947. Some minor differences between this version and the final published version may remain. We suggest you refer to the final published version should you wish to cite from it.

KW - Neurodegenerative Disease – Dancing - Postural Balance

U2 - 10.1080/17533015.2018.1443947

DO - 10.1080/17533015.2018.1443947

M3 - Article

JO - Arts & Health

JF - Arts & Health

SN - 1753-3015

M1 - RAHE 1443947

ER -