Beauty That Moves: Dance for Parkinson's Effects on Affect, Self-Efficacy, Gait Symmetry and Dual Task Performance

BackgroundPrevious studies have investigated the effects of dance interventions on Parkinsons motor and non-motor symptoms in an effort to develop an integrated view of dance as a therapeutic intervention. This within-subject study questions whether dance can be simply considered a form of exercise by comparing a Dance for Parkinsons class with a matched-intensity exercise session lacking dance elements like music, metaphorical language, and social reality of grace and beauty. MethodsIn this repeated-measure design, 7 adults with Parkinsons were tested four times; (i) before and (ii) after a Dance for Parkinsons class, as well as (iii) before and (iv) after a matched-intensity exercise session. Physiological measures included heart rate and electrodermal activity. Self-reported affect and body self-efficacy were collected. Gait symmetry and dual task cost were analyzed using the 6-minutes walking test (6MWT) and Timed-Up-and-Go test (TUG), respectively. ResultsAverage heart rate was the same for both conditions, while electrodermal activity was higher during Dance for Parkinsons. Significant differences were found in body self-efficacy, beauty subscale, symmetry of gait, and dual task performance. ConclusionsDance, compared to an exercise intervention of matched intensity, yields different outcomes through the means of intrinsic artistic elements, which may influence affective responses, the experience of beauty, self-efficacy, and gait performance.