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Dance classes improve self-esteem and quality of life in persons with Parkinson’s disease

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Abstract

Introduction

Dance can reduce motor symptoms in persons with Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, the effect on psychosocial wellbeing, including self-esteem and quality of life is less clear.

Methods

Forty-nine persons with PD (Hoehn and Yahr stage 1–4) participated in weekly dance classes for a consecutive period of 22 weeks, 36 participants completed the classes. Two baseline measurements (T1a and T1b) were performed during a 2-week control period prior to the dance classes. Post-measurements (T2) were performed immediately after 22 weeks of dance classes. Primary outcome was self-esteem as measured with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Score.

Results

Self-esteem scores were stable across the two baseline measurements and improved significantly after the dance classes (1.5 points improvement between T1b and T2, 95% CI 0.3, 2.7; p = 0.012). Additionally, quality of life as measured with the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire 39 improved significantly (3.4 points reduction between T1b and T2, 95%CI − 5.7, − 1.2; p = 0.003) as did motor symptoms as measured with the Movement Disorders Society-Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale—part III (6.2 points reduction between T1b and T2, 95%CI − 10.1, − 2.4; p = 0.002). Balance confidence as measured with the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale did not change.

Discussion and conclusions

Dance classes seem to improve self-esteem, quality of life and motor symptoms in persons with PD. These effects should be investigated further in a randomized clinical trial.

Clinical message

Dance classes may be a valuable complementary treatment option in people with PD to improve not only motor symptoms, but also self-esteem and quality of life.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank ‘Stichting Beatrixoord Noord Nederland’ and ‘Stichting De Friesland’ for their funding of the dance classes and Marrit Klamer and Lisa Rooks for their help with the data collection.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rehabilitation Center ‘Revalidatie Friesland’, Beetsterzwaag, The Netherlands

    Wya Feenstra & Heleen A. Reinders-Messelink

  2. Department of Neurology, Centre of Expertise for Parkinson and Movement Disorders, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    Jorik Nonnekes, Tahmina Rahimi & Bas R. Bloem

  3. Department of Rehabilitation, Sint Maartenskliniek, Ubbergen, The Netherlands

    Jorik Nonnekes

  4. Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Tahmina Rahimi

  5. Center for Rehabilitation, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

    Heleen A. Reinders-Messelink & Pieter U. Dijkstra

  6. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

    Pieter U. Dijkstra

Authors
  1. Wya Feenstra
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  2. Jorik Nonnekes
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  3. Tahmina Rahimi
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  4. Heleen A. Reinders-Messelink
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  5. Pieter U. Dijkstra
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  6. Bas R. Bloem
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Contributions

WF and BB conceived and designed the study. TR, HR and WF collected the data. WF, JN, HR, PD and BB contributed to the interpretation of the data. PD performed the statistical analyses. WF and TR wrote the first draft of the article. All other authors revised the article critically. All authors gave final approval of the version to be submitted.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Wya Feenstra.

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Conflicts of interest

Wya Feenstra was involved in developing the dance classes, but has no financial interests. The other authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Ethical approval

The study was performed in accordance with the guidelines of the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Medical Ethics Review Board of the University Medical Centre Groningen. All participants signed an informed consent prior to the study.

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Feenstra, W., Nonnekes, J., Rahimi, T. et al. Dance classes improve self-esteem and quality of life in persons with Parkinson’s disease. J Neurol 269, 5843–5847 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-022-11206-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-022-11206-8

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