Dance Training 'Drastically' Reduces Parkinson's Progression, Eases Symptoms
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Dancing helps slow the progression of motor and nonmotor symptoms and improves quality of life for patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), new research shows. Over 3 years, weekly participation in dance training classes "drastically" reduced the expected decline in motor function and significantly improved speech, tremors, balance, and stiffness, the researchers report.
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@maggie PD is a neurodegenerative disease associated with progression of motor dysfunction within the first 5 years of diagnosis. The annual rate of motor decline, as determined with the Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS), is between 5.2 and 8.9 points. Prior studies that assessed various styles of dance by patients with PD showed beneficial effects regarding gait speed, balance, locomotion, and aspects of quality of life.