Biomechanical Analysis of Dance for Parkinson's Disease: A Paradoxical Case Study of Balance and Gait Effects?

Objectives This study aimed to measure the effects of a dance training program on subjective and objective balance and gait measures in a person with Parkinson's disease. Design and Setting The participant was measured via clinical scales and biomechanical balance and gait analyses pre- and post-16 weeks of dance participation at the University Center for Arts in Medicine. The dance program consisted of 75 minute sessions three days a week. Results Improved clinical scales included the Schwab and England scale (+10%), falls efficacy scale (−11 points), six-minute walk (+15.54 m), and timed up and go (1.38 s). Balance measures during three conditions (eyes open, eyes closed, and narrow stance) all demonstrated an increase (24–112%) in center of pressure path length, velocity (anteroposterior and mediolateral), sway area, and approximate entropy (anteroposterior and mediolateral). Spatiotemporal gait parameters improved during forward walking: velocity (+0.12 m/s), cadence (+3.89 steps/min), double support time (−2.02%), stride length (+0.07 m), stride time (−0.03 s), and backward walking: single support (+3.47%), double support (−7.0%), swing time (+3.4%), and stance time (−3.4%). Conclusions Classic interpretation of the above measures may indicate a detriment in biomechanical balance effects concomitant with an improvement in gait. Alternative explanations explored suggest this paradox to be illusory.