Dance for Parkinson's Disease

A growing number of studies show significant improvement in motor and cognitive function amongst people with Parkinson’s Disease (PwPD) who partake in dance-based interventions. This study is the first to use neuroimaging to examine the neural effects of a dance intervention in PwPD using a well-powered design with a control group engaged in a different motor task (walking).

Scope

The project will examine neural and clinical outcomes by combining behavioral assessments with advanced neuroimaging (fMRI). Participants will be assigned to one of two groups: the experimental group will attend one in-person and one virtual 60-minute Dance for PD® class per week for 12 weeks, while the control group will complete a structured walking and pedaling routine for the same duration.

Before and after the intervention, participants will undergo comprehensive motor, cognitive, and psychosocial tests commonly used in Parkinson’s research, including the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Berg Balance Scale, and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Speech and communication biomarkers will be captured through a mobile application (TELL). fMRI will be used to measure brain activity and connectivity during resting state and task paradigms involving motor, auditory, imagery, and speech functions.

The study is set to run with 40 participants (aim to recruit 25 per group, anticipating attrition), with data collection and analysis occurring across a one-year period. By integrating behavioral outcomes with whole-brain and region-specific imaging analyses, the project will provide critical insight into the neural mechanisms underlying dance’s therapeutic benefits for PwPD.

Deliverables

This project will deliver the first controlled fMRI study of a dance intervention in this population, addressing key methodological gaps in earlier work. Initial insights suggest that dance may enhance motor and cognitive performance through its multi-sensory, rhythmic, and socially engaging structure.

Anticipated outcomes include new evidence on how dance influences brain activation and connectivity in regions relevant to Parkinson’s, such as the primary motor cortex, as well as links between neural and behavioral changes. Deliverables will include a detailed study protocol, a comprehensive dataset combining behavioral, speech, and imaging measures, peer-reviewed publications, and a research report summarizing findings. Additionally, insights will inform the development of practical recommendations for optimizing dance-based interventions, such as appropriate frequency and duration. The project will also produce resources for the scientific and clinical communities, including potential toolkits for incorporating dance into therapeutic practice for PwPD.

Project Team

Led by Dr. Constantina Theofanopoulou (JA&HL, Rockefeller University) and Dr. Nisha Sajnani (JA&HL, NYU Steinhardt), the research team consists of members from the Jameel Arts & Health Lab, and the Mark Morris Dance Group.

Funding and Support

Funding for this project is provided by the Ilse Melamid Health Equity Fund.

Images courtesy of the Mark Morris Dance Group’s Dance for PD® program

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