Objective: To examine the feasibility and effects of a Dance for Parkinson’s Disease® (DfPD®) intervention on disease severity, functional mobility, fine manual dexterity, and habitual physical activity in individuals with mild–moderate Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Background: Dance for Parkinson’s Disease® (DfPD®) has shown benefits for motor and non-motor symptoms in PD; however, its effects on functional activity and real-world physical behaviour are unclear. Understanding whether clinical improvements translate into everyday activity is important for intervention design.

Method: This quasi-experimental parallel-group feasibility study included individuals with mild–moderate PD allocated to a dance group (DG) or usual-care control group (CG). The DG attended one-hour DfPD® classes twice weekly for three months. Disease severity was assessed using the MDS-UPDRS (Parts I–IV). Functional mobility was evaluated using Timed Up and Go, Tinetti, Berg Balance Scale, and Mini-BESTest. Fine manual dexterity was measured using the Purdue Pegboard Test. Habitual physical activity was assessed using ActivPAL™ monitors worn for five days pre- and post-intervention. Group differences were analysed using general linear models adjusted for gender and baseline disease severity.

Results: Thirty-three participants completed the study (DG=16, CG=17), with high adherence (92.9%) and no adverse events. Compared with controls, the DG showed significant improvements in MDS-UPDRS Parts I–III and total score (p ≤ 0.01), with the largest effect in Part III (d=2.01). Improvements were seen in gait, posture, rigidity, finger tapping, and hand movements. Functional mobility improved significantly, with large effects for the Berg Balance Scale (d=2.40) and Mini-BESTest (d=2.15). Fine manual dexterity improved, particularly for dominant-hand performance and assembly tasks (d=1.98). Habitual physical activity did not show significant group-by-time effects, although trends toward increased stepping duration and daily step count were observed in the DG.

Conclusion: DfPD® is feasible and leads to meaningful improvements in disease severity, motor function, balance, and manual dexterity in people with PD. Although changes in habitual physical activity were modest, trends suggest potential translation of clinical gains into daily behaviour. A larger randomised controlled trial is needed to examine long-term outcomes.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/effects-of-dance-for-parkinsons-on-disease-severity-functional-mobility-and-habitual-physical-activity-a-feasibility-study/