Objective: To objectively validate empirical studies regarding the effect of Argentine Tango (tango) on individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and within the general geriatric population, and investigate fall risk and quality of life as a result of enhanced motor performance.

Background: Previous empirical studies demonstrate improvement in motor abilities using the Argentine Tango as a therapeutic intervention for those with PD. In a previous study [1], using the GAITRite walkway, we objectively demonstrated a significant reduction of fall risk in individuals with PD.

Method: 26 individuals (9 PD, 17 non-PD) participated in tango lessons. Gait performance was analyzed using a computer-linked GAITRite walkway, which recorded a pre (week 0), mid (week 6), and post (week 12) Functional Ambulation Performance (FAP) Score. Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM) was used to model and compare the growth of FAP scores in both groups.

Results: At the beginning of the study, the PD group scored significantly lower than the non-PD (​t = 44.66, ​p ​< .001). Both groups showed significant and similar FAP growth in the middle of the treatment (PD = 3.61; non-PD = 2.30, ​p < .001). In the last 6 weeks, both groups sustained this improvement but did not show significant growth (PD = 1.05; non-PD = 1.11, ​p = .14). These results suggest that Argentine Tango can objectively improve FAP scores, although a ceiling effect was found after 12 weeks of intervention.

Conclusion: Motor deficits in the geriatric population result in falls and degraded quality of life. In the first 6 weeks of this study, Argentine Tango improved gait performance and significantly reduced fall risk. In the latter 6 weeks, the FAP score growth plateaued. We hypothesize that this discrepancy was due to the contrast in lessons. ​Lessons in the first six weeks were designed primarily for participants to practice precise and efficient walking, as well as maintaining balance and recognizing weight-shifts. However, the latter 6 weeks of intervention transitioned to more advanced movement patterns that may have been challenging for some participants. It is possible that during those lessons participants sacrificed attention to fundamental walking techniques to focus on macro level patterns of more complex movements. This will be investigated in a further study.

References: 1. Peter, Shani, et al. “Argentine tango reduces fall risk in Parkinson’s patients.” Journal of the American Medical Directors Association 21.2 (2020): 291-292.

« Back to MDS Virtual Congress 2020

MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/validation-of-previous-empirical-studies-on-the-effect-of-argentine-tango-on-the-geriatric-population-with-and-without-neurodegenerative-disease/