Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of Dance Classes on Cognition, Depression, and Self-Efficacy in Parkinson’s Disease

  • Published:
American Journal of Dance Therapy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Executive function is an area of cognition commonly impaired in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Deficits often result in poor planning, slow reactions, and reduced initiative. Reduced physical function is also associated with PD but studies indicated that it can significantly improve through dance (Earhart, 2009; Hackney et al., 2007a, b). Dance may provide some positive effect on executive function but there’s little research investigating the effects of dance on cognitive symptoms of PD. The objective of this study was to determine whether executive function improves in individuals with PD following a dance program. Three different executive function measures (semantic fluency, dice, and fist-edge-palm) were assessed before and after an 8-week dance class that met twice a week. All measures were from the scales for outcomes in Parkinson’s disease-cognition (SCOPA-COG). The fist-edge-palm measure was also assessed before and after one single class. Six individuals with PD and between 62 and 87 years of age participated in the study. Results showed no significant changes in any of the three executive function tests administered before and after the 8-week dance program. However, the fist-edge-palm measure given before and after a single class significantly improved (p = 0.02). This suggests that therapeutic dance may specifically improve the executive function domain of cognition, particularly when connected to physical movement. This finding also suggests that participating in dance class on a daily short-term basis can improve executive function. If this effect is consistent, dance programs could improve short-term executive function in individuals with PD.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aarsland, D., Brønnick, K., Alves, G., Tysnes, O., Pedersen, K., Her, U., et al. (2009). Prevalence and characteristics of dementia in patients with early untreated Parkinson’s disease. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, 80, 928–930.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ahlskog, J. E., Geda, Y. E., Graff-Radford, N. R., & Petersen, R. C. (2011). Physical exercise as a preventive or disease-modifying treatment of dementia and brain aging. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 86(9), 876–884.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Aminoff, M. J. (2007). Pharmacologic management of parkinsonism and other movement disorders. In B. G. Katzung (Ed.), Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (pp. 442–451). New York: McGraw-Hill Lange Medical

  • Archer, T. (2011). Physical exercise alleviates debilities of normal aging and Alzheimer’s disease. Acta Neurologica Scandinavia, 123(4), 221–238.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A. (1993). Perceived self-efficacy in cognitive development and functioning. Educational Psychologist, 28(2), 117.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beekman, A. T., Copeland, J. R., & Prince, M. J. (1999). Review of community prevalence of depression in later life. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 174(4), 307–311.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Colcombe, S., & Kramer, A. F. (2003). Fitness effects on the cognitive function of older adults: A meta-analytic study. Psychological Science, 14(2), 125–130.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Davis-Berman, J. (1988). Self-efficacy and depressive symptomatology in older adults: An exploratory study. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 27, 35–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dirnberger, G., & Jahanshahi, M. (2013). Executive dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease: A review. Journal of Neuropsychology, 7(2), 193–224.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Earhart, G. M. (2009). Dance as therapy for individuals with Parkinson disease. European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 45(2), 231–238.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Elgh, E., Domellof, M., Linder, J., Edstrom, M., Stenlund, H., & Forsgren, L. (2009). Cognitive function in early Parkinson’s disease: A population-based study. European Journal of Neurology, 16, 1278–1284.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Forjaz, M. J., Frades-Payo, B., Rodriguez-Blazquez, C., Ayala, A., & Martinez-Martin, P. (2010). Should the SCOPA-COG be modified? A Rasch analysis perspective. European Journal of Neurology, 17(2), 202–207.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fujii, C., Aoshima, T., Sato, S., Mori, N., Ohkoshi, N., & Oda, S. (1997). Self-efficacy and related factors related in Parkinson’s disease patients. Nihon Kōshū Eisei Zasshi (Japanese Journal of Public Health), 44(11), 817–826.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gordon, B. A., Rykhlevskaia, E. I., Brumback, C. R., Lee, Y., Elavsky, S., Konopack, J. F., et al. (2008). Neuroanatomical correlates of aging, cardiopulmonary fitness level, and education. Psychophysiology, 45(5), 825–838.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Greenberg, S. A. (2012). The geriatric depression scale (GDS). The Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing, New York University College of Nursing, 4. Retrieved from https://consultgeri.org/try-this/general-assessment/issue-4.pdf

  • Grembowski, D., Patrick, D., Diehr, P., Durham, M., Beresford, S., Kay, E., et al. (1993). Self-efficacy and health behavior among older adults. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 34(2), 89–104.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hackney, M. E., & Earhart, G. M. (2010). Recommendations for implementing tango classes for persons with Parkinson's disease. American Journal of Dance Therapy, 32(1), 41–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hackney, M. E., Kantorovich, S., & Earhart, G. M. (2007a). A study on the effects of Argentine tango as a form of partnered dance for those with Parkinson disease and healthy elderly. American Journal of Dance Therapy, 29(2), 109–127.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hackney, M. E., Kantorovich, S., Levin, R., & Earhart, G. M. (2007b). Effects of tango on functional mobility in Parkinson disease: A preliminary study. Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy, 31(4), 173–179.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hashimoto, H., Takabatake, S., Miyagugchi, H., Nakanishi, H., & Naitou, Y. (2015). Effects of dance on motor functions, cognitive functions, and mental symptoms of Parkinson’s disease: A quasi-randomized pilot trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 23(2), 210–219.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hillman, C. H., Snook, E. M., & Jerome, G. J. (2003). Acute cardiovascular exercise and executive control function. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 48(3), 307–314.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jain, L., Benko, R., & Safranek, S. (2012). Q/which drugs work best for early Parkinson’s disease? Journal of Family Practice, 61(2), 106–108.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Julayanont, P., Phillips, N., Chertkow, H., & Nasreddine, Z. S. (2013). The Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA): Concept and clinical review. In A. J. Larner (Ed.), Cognitive screening instruments: A practical approach (pp. 111–151). London: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Kandiah, N., Narasimhalu, K., Lau, P., Seah, S., Au, W., et al. (2009). Cognitive decline in early Parkinson’s disease. Movement Disorders, 24, 605–616.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Marc, L. G., Raue, P. J., & Bruce, M. L. (2008). Screening performance of the geriatric depression scale (GDS-15) in a diverse elderly home care population. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 16(11), 914–921.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Marinus, J., Visser, M., Verwey, N., Verhey, F., Middelkoop, H., Stiggelbout, A., & van Hilten, J. (2003). Assessment of cognition in Parkinson’s disease. Neurology, 61, 1222–1228.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McNeil, J. K., LeBlanc, E. M., & Joyner, M. (1991). The effect of exercise on depressive symptoms in the moderately depressed elderly. Psychology of Aging, 6, 487–488.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McRae, C., Diem, G., Vo, A., O’Brien, C., & Seeberger, L. (2002). Reliability of measurements of patient health status: A comparison of physician, patient, and caregiver ratings. Parkinsonism & Related Disorders, 8(3), 187–192.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Okun, M., & Watts, R. (2002). Depression associated with Parkinson’s disease. Neurology, 58(1), 63–70.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Petzinger, G. M. (2009). Does exercise impact Parkinson’s? Parkinson’s Disease Foundation. Retrieved from http://www.pdf.org/en/parkinson_exercise_impact

  • Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. (2008). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from https://health.gov/paguidelines/pdf/paguide.pdf

  • Reuter, I., Engelhardt, M., Stecker, K., & Baas, H. (1999). Therapeutic value of exercise training in Parkinson’s disease. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 31, 1544–1549.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ridgel, A., Kim, C., Fickes, E., Muller, M., & Alberts, J. (2011). Changes in executive function after acute bouts of passive cycling in Parkinson’s disease. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 19, 87–98.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rios-Romenets, S., Anang, J., Fereshtehnejad, S. M., Pelletier, A., & Postuma, R. (2015). Tango for treatment of motor and non-motor manifestations in Parkinson’s disease: A randomized control study. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 23(2), 175–184.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schwarzer, R., & Jerusalem, M. (1995). Generalized self-efficacy scale. In J. Weinman, S. Wright, & M. Johnston (Ed.), Measures in health psychology: A user’s portfolio. Causal and control beliefs (pp. 35–37). Windsor, UK: NFER-NELSON.

  • Sobreira, E., Pena, M., Filho, J., Souza, C., Oliveira, G., Tumas, V., & de Assis Carvalho do Vale, F. (2008). Executive cognitive tests for the evaluation of patients with Parkinson’s disease. Dementia & Neuropsychologia, 2(3), 206–210.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Troster, A. (2011). Cognition and Parkinson’s. Parkinson’s Disease Foundation. Retrieved from http://www.pdf.org/en/cognitive_impairment_pd

  • University of Maryland Medical Center. (2011). Low intensity treadmill exercise is best to improve walking in Parkinson’s, study suggests. ScienceDaily. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110412162404.htm

  • Vallet, G. T. (2015). Embodied cognition of aging. Frontiers in Psychology, 6, 463. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00463.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Van Den Eeden, S. K., Tanner, C. M., Bernstein, A. L., Fross, R. D., Leimpeter, A., Bloch, D. A., & Nelson, L. M. (2003). Incidence of Parkinson’s disease: Variation by age, gender, and race/ethnicity. American Journal of Epidemiology, 157(11), 1015–1022.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Westbrook, B. K., & McKibben, H. (1989). Dance/movement therapy with groups of outpatients with Parkinson’s disease. American Journal of Dance Therapy, 11(1), 27–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • White, K., Kendrick, T., & Yardley, L. (2009). Change in self-esteem, self-efficacy and the mood dimensions of depression as potential mediators of the physical activity and depression relationship: Exploring the temporal relation of change. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 2(1), 44–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the physical therapy students who assisted with this study along with Dr. Nancy Urbscheit, the founder and instructor of the “Let’s Dance” PD dance class at Bellarmine University, for her excellent direction of the program and for allowing this research to be conducted. They would also like to recognize Bellarmine University for allowing and supporting this research study with special acknowledgement for the Honors program and Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Lastly, they thank the participants in this study for happily dedicating their time and effort to these tests and for their positive and delightful personalities that made this project a very enjoyable experience.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physical Therapy Program, Lansing School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Bellarmine University, 2001 Newburg Road, Louisville, KY, 40205, USA

    Chantal M. Prewitt, Jasmine C. Charpentier, Joseph A. Brosky & Nancy L. Urbscheit

Authors
  1. Chantal M. Prewitt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jasmine C. Charpentier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Joseph A. Brosky
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Nancy L. Urbscheit
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chantal M. Prewitt.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Prewitt, C.M., Charpentier, J.C., Brosky, J.A. et al. Effects of Dance Classes on Cognition, Depression, and Self-Efficacy in Parkinson’s Disease. Am J Dance Ther 39, 126–141 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10465-017-9242-8

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10465-017-9242-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation