Lewis et al. (2014) Dance, Mood and Parkinson’s

This topic is based on a research paper by Carine Lewis, Lucy Annett, Sally Davenport, Amelia Hall and Peter Lovatt. The title of the paper is Mood changes following social dance sessions in people with Parkinson’s disease and it is published in the Journal of Health Psychology.

Lewis et al. (2014). Mood changes following social dance sessions in people with Parkinson’s disease.

Summary of the Paper

The paper titled “Mood changes following social dance sessions in people with Parkinson’s disease” by Carine Lewis, Lucy E. Annett, Sally Davenport, Amelia A. Hall, and Peter Lovatt investigates the psychological effects of dance on people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and age-matched controls. The study aimed to determine whether social dance sessions could improve mood in individuals with PD over both short and long periods.

Key Findings:

1. Mood Improvements: The study found that participation in dance sessions led to significant improvements in mood for both the PD group and the control group. Specifically, there was an overall reduction in total mood disturbance (TMD) and a significant reduction in anger. Additionally, participants who initially had higher depression scores reported reduced fatigue after the dance sessions.
2. Long Cycle vs. Short Cycle: The study measured mood changes over a long cycle (12 weeks) and a short cycle (before and after a single dance session). Both cycles showed mood improvements, particularly in reducing anger and tension, and increasing vigor. However, these improvements were more pronounced in participants with higher baseline depression scores.
3. Physical and Social Benefits: While the study primarily focused on psychological benefits, it also highlighted that dance has been previously shown to improve physical functioning in individuals with PD, including balance, flexibility, and coordination.

Link Between Dancing and Mood in Parkinson’s Disease

The study suggests that dancing can positively impact mood in people with Parkinson’s disease. This effect is likely due to a combination of factors including physical exercise, the social nature of dance, and possibly the cognitive engagement required by dance routines.

1. Physical Exercise: Exercise in general is known to have mood-enhancing effects due to the release of endorphins and other neurochemical changes that promote a sense of well-being. Dance, as a form of exercise, appears to offer similar benefits.
2. Social Interaction: The social aspect of dancing, where participants engage with others in a supportive environment, likely contributes to the mood improvements. Social interaction can reduce feelings of isolation, which is particularly important for individuals with chronic conditions like PD.
3. Cognitive Engagement: Dancing involves learning and remembering steps, timing, and coordination, which may help in maintaining cognitive function and providing mental stimulation. This cognitive engagement might also contribute to improved mood by offering a sense of achievement and purpose.

Why Dancing Might Be Beneficial for People with Parkinson’s Disease

1. Multifaceted Benefits: Dancing provides a unique combination of physical, cognitive, and social benefits. For individuals with PD, who often face both motor and non-motor challenges (such as depression and anxiety), dance offers a holistic approach to improving quality of life.
2. Mood Regulation: As the study indicates, dance helps reduce negative mood states such as anger and tension while increasing positive mood states like vigor. This mood regulation is particularly important for people with PD, who are at a higher risk of depression.
3. Accessibility: Dance can be adapted to various levels of mobility, making it an inclusive form of exercise for those with PD. The study’s dance sessions were tailored to be appropriate for individuals with mild to moderate PD, ensuring that participants could engage safely.
4. Potential for Regular Practice: The structured, regular nature of dance sessions provides a routine that can be beneficial for mental health. Regular engagement in such activities might help sustain the mood improvements observed in the study.

In conclusion, the paper highlights the potential of dance as a beneficial intervention for improving mood in people with Parkinson’s disease, with implications for enhancing both psychological and physical well-being. Further research with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods could help solidify these findings and explore the mechanisms underlying these benefits.

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