Effects of dance for Parkinson's disease on habitual physical activity: a quasi-experimental controlled study.
7 affiliations
- 1School of Health, Psychological and Medical Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD, Australia.
- 2Movement Neuroscience Group, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
- 3School of Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
- 4School of Creative Practice, Faculty of Creative Industries, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
- 5School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
- 6Queensland Ballet, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
- 7Dance for Parkinson's Australia, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
Abstract
Background
Despite symptomatic therapies for PD, habitual physical activity inevitably declines as the disease progresses, leading to increased sedentary behavior. While dance programs have demonstrated a multitude of benefits including motor, non-motor, and psychological aspects, it has not yet been objectively determined if dance can improve habitual physical activity in people living with PD.Aim
This study explored whether participation in Dance for Parkinson's Disease classes was associated with changes in habitual physical activity in people with PD.Design
A quasi-experimental controlled efficacy study, with pre and post-testing of two parallel groups (dance versus control).Population
Thirty-three participants with PD allocated to a dance group (DG; n = 17; age = 65.8 ± 11.7 years) or control group (CG: n = 16; age = 67.0 ± 7.7 years). Participants were cognitively intact (Addenbrooke's score: DG = 93.2 ± 3.6, CG = 92.6 ± 4.3) and in early stage PD (Hoehn & Yahr: DG = 1.6 ± 0.7, CG = 1.5 ± 0.8).Methods
The DG undertook a one-hour Dance for Parkinson's Disease (DfPD®) -based class, twice weekly for 12 weeks (intervention). The CG had treatment as usual. ActivPAL™ accelerometers monitored habitual physical activity for five consecutive days pre-and post-intervention. Sit/lie duration (min), standing duration (min), stepping duration (min), sit/stand movements (count), stand/sit movements (count), daily step count, and energy expenditure (MET-h/day) were measured.Results
No significant between-group differences were observed for any ActivPAL outcome. However, increases in daily stepping duration and step count demonstrated moderate-to-large effect sizes (d = 0.72 and d = 0.91, respectively).Conclusion
Participation in a dance for Parkinson's disease program did not significantly alter pre- to post-program habitual physical activity. Larger adequately powered trials are required to determine whether participation in dance programs can influence habitual physical activity in people with Parkinson's disease.
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BibTeX
@article{kalyani2026effects,
title = {{Effects of dance for Parkinson's disease on habitual physical activity: a quasi-experimental controlled study.}},
author = {Hewa H N Kalyani and Karen A Sullivan and Gene M Moyle and Sandra G Brauer and Erica R Jeffrey and Graham K Kerr},
journal = {Frontiers in human neuroscience},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fnhum.2026.1962191},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42947974},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Effects of dance for Parkinson's disease on habitual physical activity: a quasi-experimental controlled study.
AU - Hewa H N Kalyani
AU - Karen A Sullivan
AU - Gene M Moyle
AU - Sandra G Brauer
AU - Erica R Jeffrey
AU - Graham K Kerr
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/13
JO - Frontiers in human neuroscience
DO - 10.3389/fnhum.2026.1962191
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42947974
AB - Background Despite symptomatic therapies for PD, habitual physical activity inevitably declines as the disease progresses, leading to increased sedentary behavior. While dance programs have demonstrated a multitude of benefits including motor, non-motor, and psychological aspects, it has not yet been objectively determined if dance can improve habitual physical activity in people living with PD.Aim This study explored whether participation in Dance for Parkinson's Disease classes was associated with changes in habitual physical activity in people with PD.Design A quasi-experimental controlled efficacy study, with pre and post-testing of two parallel groups (dance versus control).Population Thirty-three participants with PD allocated to a dance group (DG; n = 17; age = 65.8 ± 11.7 years) or control group (CG: n = 16; age = 67.0 ± 7.7 years). Participants were cognitively intact (Addenbrooke's score: DG = 93.2 ± 3.6, CG = 92.6 ± 4.3) and in early stage PD (Hoehn & Yahr: DG = 1.6 ± 0.7, CG = 1.5 ± 0.8).Methods The DG undertook a one-hour Dance for Parkinson's Disease (DfPD®) -based class, twice weekly for 12 weeks (intervention). The CG had treatment as usual. ActivPAL™ accelerometers monitored habitual physical activity for five consecutive days pre-and post-intervention. Sit/lie duration (min), standing duration (min), stepping duration (min), sit/stand movements (count), stand/sit movements (count), daily step count, and energy expenditure (MET-h/day) were measured.Results No significant between-group differences were observed for any ActivPAL outcome. However, increases in daily stepping duration and step count demonstrated moderate-to-large effect sizes (d = 0.72 and d = 0.91, respectively).Conclusion Participation in a dance for Parkinson's disease program did not significantly alter pre- to post-program habitual physical activity. Larger adequately powered trials are required to determine whether participation in dance programs can influence habitual physical activity in people with Parkinson's disease.
SN - 1662-5161
ER -