BMC Neurology (Aug 2020)

Can Samba and Forró Brazilian rhythmic dance be more effective than walking in improving functional mobility and spatiotemporal gait parameters in patients with Parkinson’s disease?

  • Marcela dos Santos Delabary,
  • Elren Passos Monteiro,
  • Rebeca Gimenes Donida,
  • Mariana Wolffenbuttel,
  • Leonardo Alexandre Peyré-Tartaruga,
  • Aline Nogueira Haas

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-020-01878-y
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 20, no. 1
pp. 1 – 10

Abstract

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Abstract Background Parkinson’s disease (PD) causes motor and nonmotor disorders in patients. Unlike aerobic training, potential adaptations from the practice of dance are less understood in PD, particularly compared with better known exercise modes. This study aimed to verify and compare the effects of a Brazilian dance program, inspired by Samba and Forrró rhythms, and a walking program on functional mobility and spatiotemporal gait parameters in patients with PD. Methods Eighteen participants with PD were divided into a dance group (DG) and a walking group (WG) and were assessed before and after an intervention period of 24 1-h sessions, performed twice per week for 12 weeks. The timed-up-and-go test (TUG) and walking kinematics at self-selected speed (SSS) and fast speed (FS) were determined. The generalized estimating equation method was used to compare the DG and WG pre- and post-intervention and to evaluate the group*time interaction (α < 0.05). Results Both groups demonstrated a significant improvement in TUG test at SSS (p = 0.02; effect size [ES] = 0.42) and FS (p = 0.02; ES = 0.24). In general, spatiotemporal parameters remained unchanged, except at SSS, in which the DG increased the stride frequency (p = 0.011; ES = 0.72). At FS, the swing time demonstrated a significant group*time interaction (p < 0.001; ES = 1.10), in which the two groups exhibited different behaviors: DG decreased (p = 0.015) and WG increased (p = 0.012). Conclusions Functional mobility improved similarly in both groups. The results suggest that a 12-week program of Brazilian dance was sufficient to produce improvements in functional mobility and gait in individuals with PD. Trial registration This study is registered with the International Clinical Trial Registry under number NCT03370315 . Registered December 28, 2017 - Retrospectively registered.

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