Dance therapy is emerging as a promising complementary treatment for patients with neurodegenerative disorders, according to two recent studies examining its effects on Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's patients.
A study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research found that Parkinson's patients who participated in eight months of weekly dance classes experienced significant reductions in depression symptoms. The research, led by scientists from York University and Algoma University in Canada, documented improvements that were not only self-reported by participants but also visible in brain imaging.
"It was very cool to see that dance had a positive effect on the mood circuits in the brain, which we could see in the imaging," said Joseph DeSouza, associate professor of neuroscience at York University and senior researcher on the study.
The investigation involved 23 Parkinson's patients who took part in the Sharing Dance Parkinson's program at Canada's National Ballet School. Classes progressed from basic leg and foot movements to more complex choreographed dances including interpretive movements and waltzes.
Brain scans revealed decreased signals from the subcallosal cingulate gyrus (SCG), a region implicated in depression. According to lead researcher Karolina Bearss, assistant professor of psychology at Algoma University, this reduction in SCG activity correlates with improved mood states.
"Our study is the first to demonstrate these benefits across these two detection methods," DeSouza noted, referring to both the brain imaging results and patient-reported outcomes.
Dance Benefits for Alzheimer's Patients
In a separate study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, researchers found that dance classes helped ease agitation in people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
The three-month study, conducted at an adult day care facility run by the Council on Aging of West Florida, involved 16 participants with dementia diagnoses. Half were randomly assigned to hour-long dance classes twice weekly, while the control group participated in non-musical activities like bingo, puzzles, and board games.
Participants in the dance group learned six different routines, including the box step and Charleston, modified to accommodate their physical capabilities. Researchers observed that the sessions elevated participants' moods even during rest breaks, with many continuing to clap and tap their feet when music played.
"Six out of eight dance participants were also noted as being able to recall dance movements for at least three dances learned during the 12-week period," the researchers reported, highlighting potential cognitive benefits alongside emotional improvements.
Caregivers reported observing their loved ones dancing at various times throughout the day, even when no music was playing, suggesting lasting positive effects beyond the structured sessions.
Dual Mechanisms of Action
Researchers believe dance therapy works through multiple pathways. Music activates the brain's reward signals, while physical movement engages sensory and motor circuits. This combination may be particularly beneficial for patients with neurodegenerative conditions that affect both motor function and mood.
For Parkinson's patients, who often experience depression and anxiety alongside motor symptoms, dance offers a holistic approach to symptom management. Up to half of all Parkinson's patients suffer from depression or anxiety at some point, according to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.
"People with Parkinson's disease tend to have multiple symptoms that are not just motor related, there are a lot of symptoms that include mental and social well-being impairments, one of those being depression," Bearss explained.
Clinical Implications and Limitations
While the results are promising, researchers caution that dance therapy should be viewed as a complementary approach rather than a replacement for standard medical care.
"We're not trying to cure Parkinson's with dance," DeSouza emphasized. "What we're trying to do is to have people live a better quality of life. This goes for both those with the disease, and their families that take care of them – they also get benefits of feeling better."
The Alzheimer's study researchers acknowledged limitations in their work, including the small sample size and relatively brief intervention period. "Future studies should consider increasing the frequency of the dance sessions per week and ensuring adequate sample size to assess the impacts of the intervention," they concluded.
Despite these limitations, the findings suggest that structured dance programs could be valuable additions to comprehensive care plans for patients with neurodegenerative disorders. The non-pharmacological nature of dance therapy makes it an attractive option with minimal side effects and potential social benefits.
As the global burden of neurodegenerative diseases continues to grow – with Parkinson's cases expected to double by 2050 according to recent projections – cost-effective, accessible interventions like dance therapy may play an increasingly important role in improving quality of life for affected individuals.
