Biomechanical Analysis of Dance for Parkinson's Disease: A Paradoxical Case Study of Balance and Gait Effects?

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Biomechanical Analysis of Dance for Parkinson's Disease: A Paradoxical Case Study of Balance and Gait Effects?

Explore (NY). 2017 Nov - Dec;13(6):409-413

Authors: Sowalsky KL, Sonke J, Altmann LJP, Almeida L, Hass CJ

Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to measure the effects of a dance training program on subjective and objective balance and gait measures in a person with Parkinson's disease.
DESIGN AND SETTING: The participant was measured via clinical scales and biomechanical balance and gait analyses pre- and post-16 weeks of dance participation at the University Center for Arts in Medicine. The dance program consisted of 75 minute sessions three days a week.
RESULTS: Improved clinical scales included the Schwab and England scale (+10%), falls efficacy scale (-11 points), six-minute walk (+15.54m), and timed up and go (1.38s). Balance measures during three conditions (eyes open, eyes closed, and narrow stance) all demonstrated an increase (24-112%) in center of pressure path length, velocity (anteroposterior and mediolateral), sway area, and approximate entropy (anteroposterior and mediolateral). Spatiotemporal gait parameters improved during forward walking: velocity (+0.12m/s), cadence (+3.89steps/min), double support time (-2.02%), stride length (+0.07m), stride time (-0.03s), and backward walking: single support (+3.47%), double support (-7.0%), swing time (+3.4%), and stance time (-3.4%).
CONCLUSIONS: Classic interpretation of the above measures may indicate a detriment in biomechanical balance effects concomitant with an improvement in gait. Alternative explanations explored suggest this paradox to be illusory.

PMID: 29179887 [PubMed - in process]

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