Dance Therapy Improves Cognitive Function in Patients With Parkinson Disease

Dance therapy improves cognitive symptoms in patients with Parkinson disease but has little effect on other nonmotor symptoms, according to results from a study published in Aging Clinical and Experimental Research.

The meta-analysis included 9 randomized controlled trials and quasi-randomized controlled trials spanning a total 307 patients with Parkinson disease. Researchers were interested in evaluating the effect of dance therapy specifically aimed at improving nonmotor symptoms.

According to the findings, dance therapy significantly improved cognitive function as measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale. The random-effects standardized mean difference with dance therapy was 1.50.

Dance therapy’s effect on symptoms of depression, fatigue, and apathy was not significant, however. Standardized mean differences with dance therapy were -1.33 for depressive symptoms as measured by the Baker Depression Scale, .26 for fatigue as measured by the Parkinson Fatigue Scale, and .07 for apathy was measured by the Apathy Scale.

“The meta-analysis suggests that dance can improve cognitive function in Parkinson disease,” concluded lead study author Li-li Wang, of the school of nursing at Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, China, and colleagues.

Reference:
Wang LL, Sun CJ, Wang Y, et al. Effects of dance therapy on non-motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Aging Clin Exp Res. Published online January 29, 2022. doi: 10.1007/s40520-021-02030-7.