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

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.