Why Dance for Parkinson's Disease

@article{Westheimer2008WhyDF,
  title={Why Dance for Parkinson's Disease},
  author={Olie Westheimer},
  journal={Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation},
  year={2008},
  volume={24},
  pages={127–140}
}
  • Olie Westheimer
  • Published 1 April 2008
  • Psychology
  • Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation
Brooklyn Parkinson Group (BPG) in collaboration with Mark Morris Dance Group (MMDG), a renowned modern dance company, developed dance classes for persons with Parkinson's disease (PD), friends, and family. In 5 years, classes have increased from 2 to 9 participants once a month, to weekly classes of 20 to over 30 participants. Professional dancers teach the classes in a large dance studio with live piano accompaniment. This article explains the rationale of dance for PD, describes teaching… 
View on Wolters Kluwer
danceforparkinsons.org
60 Citations
Highly Influential Citations
11
Background Citations
27
Methods Citations
9
Results Citations
2

60 Citations

Dance as therapy for individuals with Parkinson disease.

  • G. Earhart
  • Psychology, Biology
    European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicine
  • 2009
A review of the relatively scant literature on the benefits of dance for those with PD discusses what is currently known with respect to appropriate dosing of dance interventions, and speculates upon potential mechanisms by which dance may convey benefits.

Differential Effects of Tango Versus Dance for PD in Parkinson Disease

Tango dance interventions may preferentially improve mobility and motor signs in people with PD, compared to Dance for Parkinson’s (D4PD).

Dance-making for adults with Parkinson disease: one teacher’s process of constructing a modern dance class

Within the last decade, research has supported the use of dance for people with Parkinson disease to improve health and wellbeing. While the majority of study findings have been positive for a…

The therapeutic use of dance for people with Parkinson's disease

The paper explores the evidence for the therapeutic use of dance for those with Parkinson’s disease (PD), specifically exploring what impact the application of dance as a social activity and artistic outlet for the participants, rather than as a medical therapy, has on its effectiveness.

"Dance Therapy" as a psychotherapeutic movement intervention in Parkinson's disease.

Dance for PD: a preliminary investigation of effects on motor function and quality of life among persons with Parkinson’s disease (PD)

The low attrition rate and continued attendance suggest notable adherence to the DfPD® class, highlighting the value of using both quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate the benefits of dance with PD.

The Methodological Challenges of Research into Dance for People with Parkinson's

Parkinson's is a neurodegenerative disease that affects one in 500 people. It is a condition that affects the ability to initiate movement, to keep movement going and to stop movement voluntarily.…

Dance as a Community-Based Exercise in Older Adults

The evidence for the benefits of dance involving people with dementia, rheumatoid arthritis (Class III), Parkinson's disease, diabetes, and on fall risk is discussed.

A pilot study to evaluate multi-dimensional effects of dance for people with Parkinson's disease.

Meditations on co-creative dance explorations with people with Parkinson’s

The following meditations are reflections on co-creative dance explorations with people with Parkinson’s. Many are extracted from my Ph.D. research, an investigation of one-to-one, co-creative,…
...

References

SHOWING 1-10 OF 18 REFERENCES

Active Music Therapy in Parkinson’s Disease: An Integrative Method for Motor and Emotional Rehabilitation

MT is effective on motor, affective, and behavioral functions in patients with Parkinson’s disease and is proposed as a new method for inclusion in PD rehabilitation programs.

Stride length regulation in Parkinson's disease: the use of extrinsic, visual cues.

The overarching finding is that stride length can be regulated in Parkinson's disease using stationary visual cues without increased central processing capacity or perceived effort.

Parkinsonism: Onset, progression, and mortality

Controversy over the effectiveness of therapeutic measures for parkinsonism is due partially to this wide variability and to the paucity of clinical information about the natural history of the syndrome.

Practice Parameter: Neuroprotective strategies and alternative therapies for Parkinson disease (an evidence-based review): Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology

Objective:To define key issues in the management of Parkinson disease (PD) relating to neuroprotective strategies and alternative treatments, and to make evidence-based treatment recommendations.…

Practice Parameter: Neuroprotective strategies and alternative therapies for Parkinson disease (an evidence-based review): Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology

It is concluded that disease progression does not appear to be increased by levadopa and no strategy provided neuroprotection and no strategies provided neuro protection in patients with Parkinson disease.

An essential ingredient.

  • T. M. Woods
  • Medicine
    American journal of health-system pharmacy : AJHP : official journal of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
  • 2007
A number of years ago, ASHP distributed a videotape titled “The Invisible Ingredient.” Its goal was to help audiences outside the profession understand that pharmacists are key players on the health…

Practice Parameter: Neuroprotect n ive Strategies and Alternative Therapies for Parkinso Disease (An Evidence-Based Review)

Key issues in the management of Parkinson disease relating to neuroprotective strategies and alternative treatments, and to make evidence-based treatment recommendations, are defined.

Rhythms of the Brain, G. Buzsáki. Oxford University Press, Madison Avenue, New York (2006), Price: GB £42.00, p. 448, ISBN: 0-19-530106-4

Auditory rhythmicity enhances movement and speech motor control in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Participating in organizations and public affairs