Objective: To present two rehabilitation programs based on dance and Nordic Walking (NW) for patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and their effects.

Background: Parkinson’s disease  is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease leading to the occurrence of balance and gait disturbances, falls and disability. Rehabilitation is an important element of treatment in PD and various, attractive forms of physical activity can be used.

Methods: Thirty patients with mild to moderate PD (Hoehn and Yahr scale: 1.5-3.0) were enrolled and randomly assigned to dance, NW or control groups. The severity of PD was rated with Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). Balance was assessed with Functional Reach Test, Berg Balance Scale and the retropulsion test (Pastor). Gait was assessed by means Timed Up and Go, 10 – metre walk and timed 360⁰ turn. The motor functions were assessed with the Physical Performance Test (PPT). The patients evaluated the effects of dance program or NW training with a questionnaire. Between the first and the second assessments, the patients from dance and NW groups took part in two, six – week rehabilitation programs based on dance or NW, respectively. The dance classes and the NW-training sessions took place twice a week and lasted 1 hour.

Results: Comparison of the results indicates significant (p<0.05) improvement in balance and gait parameters as well as in PPT scores after rehabilitation in dance and NW groups as well as in comparison to control group.

Conclusions: Dance and NW training improved balance, gait and motor functions in patients with PD.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/the-effect-of-dance-and-nordic-walking-on-balance-gait-and-motor-function-in-parkinsons-disease/