Objective: To describe methodological considerations related to stakeholder engagement in community-based participatory research (CBPR) to create a dance and music-based program (DMBP) for people with Parkinson’s Disease (PWPD).

Background: Racial and ethnic disparities exist in PD, with African Americans facing greater disability, lower treatment rates and limited access to movement-based therapy[1-3]. Dance and music therapy can improve gait and quality of life in PWPD, making community-based DMBPs a sustainable option given barriers to physical therapy[4-8]. CBPR and community advisory boards (CABs) promote education, exercise and minority research participation, forming the foundation of BEATs-PD[2, 9-11].

Method: 1. BEATs-PD Creation: We formed an academic team (AT) of movement disorders specialists, a neurology resident, music therapists and research coordinators. A CAB was created to ensure the DMBP reflected community needs. AT reviewed CAB best practices with guidance from the university’s Community Research Advisory Council. Members were recruited via word-of-mouth and meetings with community leaders. The first CAB-AT meeting established values, communication best practices and the CAB’s role as equal partners. Funding was obtained for CAB member compensation.

2. Survey Co-creation: CAB oversaw community outreach, IRB preparation and survey design to collect preferences and barriers for a DMBP for PWPD. AT members qualitatively reviewed 8 meeting recordings.

3. Community Connections and Survey Distribution (Current): CAB identified sites for tabling to facilitate community conversations about PD. Participants (Age 18+, community residents with connection to PD) complete a 10-minute online survey and receive $10.

4. DMBP Implementation (Future): CAB members will contribute to data analysis to create a DMBP aligned with community needs. Participants’ reactions will be assessed.

Results: BEATs-PD has 10 AT and 9 CAB members including 2 PWPD. Six pre-survey tabling events built early community connections. Review of meetings identified methodological considerations that can be used as educational points for CABs (Table 1). CAB guided AT on community engagement and education, accessible survey and script language, and compensation.

Conclusion: Engaging the community as equal partners to create a DMBP for PWPD is feasible and high value, though not without challenges.

Table 1

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