Cognitive, Affective, and Motor Effects of Tangotherapy in Parkinson's Disease
- Conditions
- Parkinson Disease
- Interventions
- Behavioral: Physical activityBehavioral: Tangotherapy
- Registration Number
- NCT05904171
- Lead Sponsor
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano
- Brief Summary
Neuroscientific research has shown a close relationship between physical fitness and cognition, showing a positive effect of physical activity (e.g., aerobic activity) on the maintenance of psycho-cognitive well-being in the elderly. In particular, dancing seems to be very effective, as it involves both motor and multisensory aspects (touch, sight, hearing, proprioception), stimulating memory, motor learning and social interaction. In fact, dance increases sensory-motor skills and cognitive performance in the neurologically healthy elderly. Dance-based therapeutic approaches, in particular Argentine tango, have also been implemented in the context of neurodegenerative pathologies, including Parkinson's disease (PD) where motor (i.e., tremors, postural instability, motor slowdown) and cognitive difficulties (e.g., executive deficits) may coexist. Most of these studies have so far demonstrated a significant improvement in balance and a reduction in motor symptoms, while evidence regarding cognitive and emotional benefits brought about by dance remains limited. When investigated, cognitive benefits have often been evaluated at the level of global cognition (i.e., screening tests), without a detailed characterization of the effects of tango on cognitive and affective functioning (e.g., executive functions, social cognition, depressive symptoms), central aspects in Parkinson's disease.
- Detailed Description
Not available
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- RECRUITING
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 42
- Clinical diagnosis of mild-moderate Parkinson's Disease (modified Hoehn&Yahr Scale 1-3)
- Having attended Argentine Tango classes in the past year;
- Having attended Physical Therapy rehabilitation in the past month;
- Other neurological diseases (e.g., stroke, traumatic brain injury, brain tumors)
- Dementia
- Any clinical condition not compatible with physical activity
- Deep Brain Stimulation of infusion pumps implants
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Physical Activity Physical activity 2 hours of group-based physical activity, weekly, for 6 weeks Tangotherapy Tangotherapy 2 hours of group-based Tangotherapy, weekly, for 6 weeks
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Change in Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) - total score At the beginning of the treatment, at the end of the treatment (i.e., after 6 weeks), and at 45 days follow-up A scale assessing depressive and anxiety symptoms.
Change in Parkinson's Disease Cognitive Rating Scale (PD-CRS) - total score At the beginning of the treatment, at the end of the treatment (i.e., after 6 weeks), and at 45 days follow-up A battery of cognitive tests of memory, selective attention, visuo-spatial skills, and flexibility.
Change in Stroop Task - reading time At the beginning of the treatment, at the end of the treatment (i.e., after 6 weeks), and at 45 days follow-up A test assessing cognitive inhibition.
Change in 6 minutes walking Test (6MWT) - Distance Walked At the beginning of the treatment, at the end of the treatment (i.e., after 6 weeks), and at 45 days follow-up A test assessing walking performance; i.e., distance walked in 6 minutes.
Change in Health-related quality of Life (EQ-5D-5L) - total score At the beginning of the treatment, at the end of the treatment (i.e., after 6 weeks), and at 45 days follow-up A questionnaire about quality of life in different health-related domains.
Change in 10 meters walking test (10mWT) - Execution Time At the beginning of the treatment, at the end of the treatment (i.e., after 6 weeks), and at 45 days follow-up A test assessing walking performance.
Change in Timed Up and Go (TUG) test - Execution Time At the beginning of the treatment, at the end of the treatment (i.e., after 6 weeks), and at 45 days follow-up A test used to assess a person's mobility.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS
🇮🇹Milan, Lombardia, Italy