Effects of a short duration, high dose contact improvisation dance workshop on Parkinson disease: A pilot study

SummaryObjectivesThis study explored the feasibility and possible benefits of contact improvisation (CI) as an exercise intervention for individuals with PD.DesignThis was an uncontrolled pilot study.InterventionEleven people with PD (H&Y = 2.4 ± 0.4) participated in a workshop of 10 1.5-h CI classes over 2 weeks, dancing with previously trained student CI dancers.Main outcome measuresMeasures of disease severity, balance, functional mobility, and gait were compared 1 week before and after the workshop.ResultsParticipants demonstrated improvements on the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale—Motor Subsection and Berg balance scores, along with increased swing and decreased stance percentages during walking. Backward step length also increased. Participants expressed a high level of enjoyment and interest in taking future CI classes.ConclusionsThis pilot study supports the feasibility of CI as an intervention to address mobility limitations associated with PD.