Dance therapy improves the joint range of motion in people with Parkinson’s disease: an essay with the Baila Parkinson method

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that compromises motor control, leading to reduced functional independence and quality of life. Dance-based interventions have emerged as a complementary intervention to mitigate PD-related motor symptoms. As aging naturally reduces joint range of motion (ROM), these limitations are further exacerbated in PD, emphasizing the need for targeted movement-based interventions.

AIM: To investigate changes in joint range of motion following a structured dance-based intervention in individuals with PD, in comparison with age-matched healthy controls exposed to a different dance practice.

METHODS: Participants included individuals with PD in Hoehn and Yahr stages I–III (n=16) and age-matched controls (n=16). Participants with PD engaged in a six-month dance-based intervention program based on the Baila Parkinson Method, while aged-matched controls participated in regular ballroom dance classes. Joint ROM of the shoulder, elbow, and hip was assessed using Kinovea® software during standardized movements. Multiple t-tests were used to examine inter- and intra-group differences (p<0.05).

RESULTS: Dance-based intervention significantly increased ROM in the right shoulder (p=0.002), right elbow (p=0.01), and right hip flexion (p<0.0001) during uncompensated movements. Improvements were also observed in compensated movements, particularly elbow flexion (p=0.005). Post-intervention, PD participants achieved ROM levels comparable to the control group.

INTERPRETATION: The findings indicate that participation in a structured dance-based program was associated with improvements in ROM for individuals with PD, beyond compensatory movement adaptations. Dance-based interventions may thus represent an effective, accessible strategy to enhance motor performance and functional mobility in PD.