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Recommendations for Implementing Tango Classes for Persons with Parkinson Disease

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Abstract

Several studies have recently been published regarding the physical and emotional benefits of Argentine tango dance for individuals with Parkinson disease (PD). These papers focused on the effects of tango interventions rather than methods used to implement and deliver the interventions. The focus of the present paper is on methods for implementing PD-specific tango programs, to facilitate safe and appropriate implementation of community-based partnered dance programs for this population. We report successful methods for an Argentine Tango-based class, but these recommendations could be applicable to other partnered dances.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Marian Chace Foundation and the American Parkinson Disease Association.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rehabilitation Research and Development, Atlanta Veterans Administration, 1670 Clairmont Road, Decatur, GA, 30033, USA

    Madeleine E. Hackney

  2. Program in Physical Therapy, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8502, 4444 Forest Park Blvd., St. Louis, MO, 63108, USA

    Gammon M. Earhart

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  1. Madeleine E. Hackney
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  2. Gammon M. Earhart
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Correspondence to Gammon M. Earhart.

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Hackney, M.E., Earhart, G.M. Recommendations for Implementing Tango Classes for Persons with Parkinson Disease. Am J Dance Ther 32, 41–52 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10465-010-9086-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10465-010-9086-y

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