Article

Tango dancing has been effective in improving measures of physical
function in people with Parkinson disease (PD). However, all previous studies
were institution-based, tested participants on medication, and employed
short-term interventions. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of a 12-month
community-based tango program for individuals with PD on disease severity and
physical function. METHODS: Sixty-two participants were randomly assigned to a
twice weekly, community-based Argentine Tango program or a Control group (no
intervention). Participants were assessed off anti-Parkinson medication at
baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. The primary outcome measure was the Movement
Disorders Society-Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale 3 (MDS-UPDRS-3).
Secondary outcome measures were the MDS-UPDRS-1, MDS-UPDRS-2, MiniBESTest balance
test; Freezing of Gait Questionnaire (FOG_Q); 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT); gait
velocity for comfortable forward, fast as possible forward, dual task, and
backward walking; and Nine-Hole Peg Test (9HPT). RESULTS: Groups were not
different at baseline. Overall, the Tango group improved whereas the Control
group showed little change on most measures. For the MDS-UPDRS-3, there was no
significant change in the Control group from baseline to 12 months, whereas the
Tango group had a reduction of 28.7% (12.8 points). There were significant group
by time interactions for MDS-UPDRS-3, MiniBESTest, FOG_Q, 6MWT, forward and dual
task walking velocities, and 9HPT in favor of the dance group. CONCLUSIONS:
Improvements in the Tango group were apparent off medication, suggesting that
long-term participation in tango may modify progression of disability in PD.

Langue : ANGLAIS