Is Irish set dancing feasible for people with Parkinson's disease in Ireland?

Joanne Shanahan; Meg E Morris; Orfhlaith Ni Bhriain; Daniele Volpe; Margaret Richardson; Amanda M Clifford

doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2014.12.002

Is Irish set dancing feasible for people with Parkinson's disease in Ireland?

Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2015 Feb;21(1):47-51. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2014.12.002. Epub 2014 Dec 13.

Authors

Joanne Shanahan¹, Meg E Morris², Orfhlaith Ni Bhriain³, Daniele Volpe⁴, Margaret Richardson⁵, Amanda M Clifford⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Clinical Therapies, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, University of Limerick, Co. Limerick, Ireland. Electronic address: joanne.s@outlook.com.
² Department of Physiotherapy, School of Allied Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora 3086, Australia.
³ Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, Department of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Limerick, Co. Limerick, Ireland.
⁴ Department of Neurorehabilitation, Casa di Cura Villa Margherita, Vicenza, Italy.
⁵ Department of Neurology, University College Hospital, Limerick, Ireland.
⁶ Department of Clinical Therapies, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, University of Limerick, Co. Limerick, Ireland.

PMID: 25557584
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2014.12.002

Abstract

Objective: To investigate if community-based Irish set dancing is feasible in Irish adults with Parkinson's disease.

Methods: Over an eight week period, ten participants attended one set dancing class per week and completed a home programme in parallel. Feasibility was assessed by monitoring adverse effects, participants' verbal feedback, compliance rates and feedback from an exit questionnaire. Participants were assessed using the Berg balance scale, 6-min walk test, UPDRS-3 and PDQ-39, before and after the intervention.

Results: No adverse effects were detected. Attendance at classes was 86%. Compliance with the home programme was 67%. Findings from the exit questionnaire showed participants enjoyed participating and reported improvements in aspects of health including balance. Quality of life improved with the dance programme and there was a trend toward improvement on the UPDRS-3.

Conclusion: These findings suggest community-based Irish set dancing is a feasible form of exercise that can positively influence quality of life.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01939717.

Keywords: Community rehabilitation; Dance; Parkinson's disease; Physical activity.

Publication types

Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

Aged
Dancing*
Feasibility Studies
Female
Humans
Ireland
Male
Middle Aged
Parkinson Disease / psychology*
Parkinson Disease / rehabilitation*
Quality of Life
Surveys and Questionnaires

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01939717