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There is evidence that exercise, especially strenuous activity, builds muscle and brain power in people with Parkinson\u2019s. Dance appears to meet many, if not all, of the recommended components for exercise programs designed for individuals with Parkinson\u2019s. That\u2019s because dance includes elements to improve balance and gait function, as well as improve quality of life.<\/p>\n
DANCE \u2014\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>\\<\/em> \u02c8 dan (t) s<\/em>, <\/em>\u02c8d\u00e4n (t) s<\/em>\\<\/em><\/p>\n Parkinson\u2019s is a neurological disorder that progressively robs a person\u2019s ability to move. Motor and non-motor symptoms worsen over time. It also affects coordination, balance, strength, and can interfere with the ability to speak clearly.<\/p>\n People with Parkinson\u2019s often feel trapped or constrained by their condition. When they dance, it is a very different, liberating experience. While support groups provide a great forum to share issues, weekly dance classes provide physical and psychosocial benefits for people with Parkinson\u2019s, their care partners and families. A dance class becomes a community and gives a person a sense of belonging.<\/p>\n Research indicates that dance is an effective, complementary therapy for those living with Parkinson\u2019s disease, according to Rachel Bar<\/strong>, Manager, Health and Research Initiatives, at Canada\u2019s National Ballet School <\/em><\/a>in Toronto. \u201cMore than 40 research studies have established its benefits,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n Beyond the physical benefits, dance encourages social inclusion and personal and artistic expression, which could lead to benefits in areas of depression and anxiety.<\/p>\n A number of leading neurologists and movement disorder specialists include dance classes among a shortlist of recommended activities for their patients. No experience is necessary and participants are encouraged to do what is possible for them on any given day.<\/p>\n Parkinson Canada Research Program<\/em><\/a> has funded over 550 research projects since 1981 and several focus on the benefits of dance, including the ground breaking work of Joseph De Souza<\/strong>, a neuroscientist at Toronto\u2019s York University. Volunteers undergo a brain scan before and after a one-hour dance class with Sarah Robichaud<\/strong><\/a>, <\/strong>founder of Dancing with Parkinson\u2019s<\/em>. For nearly a decade, Sarah, a classically trained dancer, founder and instructor with Dancing with Parkinson\u2019s<\/em>, has been seeing what scientists are now trying to prove.<\/p>\n \u201cAnecdotally, what the students tell us and what we see may be new neuro-pathways being created,\u201d says Robichaud, \u201cbecause people sometimes who walk in with walkers, who are very unstable, halfway through the class will start waltzing through the room unassisted.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlmost everyone who participates in the (dance) classes notices improvement in movements, claims improvement in quality of life and in mood, like emotion,\u201d says De Souza. For the last three years, he and his researchers have been tracking the brainwaves of dozens of people with Parkinson\u2019s participating in dance classes. De Souza also performs a series of physical tests to measure the impact the classes have on their gait and coordination.<\/p>\n AB (Alice Betty) Rustin<\/strong> has been taking a Sharing Dance for People with Parkinson\u2019s<\/em> class at Canada\u2019s <\/em>National Ballet School<\/em> for over three years now. \u201cIt\u2019s always great to spend time with others with Parkinson\u2019s,\u201d says AB. \u201cAnd I feel better after a class. The movements are not as strenuous as in an exercise class. They are much more fluid. And you\u2019ve got the wonderful music.\u201d<\/p>\n In January 2019, Parkinson Canada presented a webinar<\/a>\u00a0on the benefits of dance for people with Parkinson\u2019s\u2014hosted by David Leventhal<\/strong>, an internationally renowned, founding teacher and Program Director for Dance for PD\u00ae – <\/em>a program of the Mark Morris Dance Group that has now been used as a model for classes in more than 300 communities in 25 countries. David leads classes for people with Parkinson\u2019s disease and trains other teachers in the Dance for PD\u00ae<\/em> approach.<\/p>\n David will be leading dance classes across Canada this year and Parkinson Canada and Hamilton City Ballet Dance for Parkinson\u2019s<\/a>, both members of the\u00a0Dance for Parkinson\u2019s Network<\/a>, invite you to attend a session led by David, in Hamilton, Ontario on May 17, 2019. This event is cancelled and will be rescheduled.<\/span><\/p>\n Parkinson Canada in collaboration with Canada\u2019s National Ballet School and Dance for PD\u00ae<\/em> is bringing the acclaimed Dancing with Parkinson\u2019s (DWP) exercise program to Sault Ste. Marie. The pilot program will run for 8-weeks, free of charge and under the guidance of local Studio Directors from Elite Dance Force, Kaitlin Pelletier<\/strong> and Christina Trevisan<\/strong>. Technology is allowing the live stream of classes from the studio at the National Ballet School in Toronto while participants gather at Elite Dance Force in the \u201cSoo.\u201d<\/p>\n People living with Parkinson\u2019s of every age, stage and ability are invited to experience the joys and benefits of dance while creatively addressing Parkinson\u2019s-specific concerns. Across the country, dance classes for people with Parkinson\u2019s are gaining in popularity and several Parkinson Canada local offices and support groups are coordinating such offerings with local dance education instructors and partners. These dance classes are modified to be safe and effective for their participants with Parkinson\u2019s disease, as well as their spouses or care partners, while offering the joy of dance and all the benefits of moving to music. For more information on the program designed to celebrate Parkinson Awareness Month\u00a02019 (April) visit Parkinson.ca<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cDance is almost like a supplemental therapy that helps people cope with whatever they\u2019re dealing with,\u201d DeSouza says.<\/p>\n Everyone should have the right to dance\u2014and everyone should have access to dance. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Questions? Parkinson Canada is here to help. Call our Information and Referral line toll free at 1\u00a0800\u00a0565\u00a03000 <\/strong>or email communications@parkinson.ca<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n CBC TV segment on Dancing with Parkinson’s:<\/p>\n\n
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