Dance as therapy for Parkinson’s disease
Every April 11, World Parkinson’s Day is commemorated to create awareness of the disease.
This year, we focus on the role of dance as a therapeutic intervention for people living with Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that affects the nervous system and the body functions it controls.
It results from the death of dopamine-producing cells in the substantia nigra.
Dopamine is a brain chemical that is essential for movement planning, coordination, and motivation, as well as feelings of pleasure and reward.
As dopamine levels decline, individuals experience motor symptoms such as slowed movement, tremors, rigidity (muscle stiffness), and poor balance and non-motor symptoms, including pain, sleep disturbances, memory problems and orthostatic hypotension (sudden drops in blood pressure) that progress through early, middle, and late stages of the disease.
In managing Parkinson’s disease, exercise serves as an important adjunct to medication and surgical interventions, enhancing both motor and non-motor outcomes.
Exercise refers to any purposeful body movement that promotes fitness, health, and wellness. It is widely recognised as a cornerstone of Parkinson’s management, helping to preserve mobility, independence, and quality of life.
Dance as a therapeutic exercise
Among the many forms of exercise, dance stands out.
For some people like Chris Daigre, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at age 55, dance has become central to rehabilitation and a means for social engagements.
Dance is not only physical but also psychotherapeutic, engaging both the body and mind.
It combines multiple elements of therapeutic exercise programmes, making it a holistic intervention.
Dance movements provide numerous motor benefits: Support postural stability; Increase range of motion; Improve balance, coordination, and gait (walking)
Beyond motor function, research shows dance also improves non-motor symptoms such as: Cognitive function; Mood and depression, Physical confidence; Overall quality of life.
A systematic review of literature conducted by Fan and colleagues in 2025 concluded that dance, performed at 150–300 minutes of moderate intensity per week, significantly improves balance in people with Parkinson’s.
• Recommended dosage: 2–5 sessions per week, each lasting 60–90 minutes.
• If this feels challenging, start small and gradually increase as your body allows.
• Options include seated dance, standing dance, or progressing from chair-based to upright movements.
• Partnered dance can boost motivation and enjoyment, though both partnered and solo dance provide similar benefits.
• Music is vital; it acts as an external cue to facilitate movement. Choose music and footwear carefully to stay safe and maximise benefits.
Options
Dance therapy is diverse and adaptable. Globally, tango is widely used in Parkinson’s rehabilitation. In Ghana, traditional dances such as Agbadza, Kpanlogo, and Borborbor, alongside contemporary dances like Azonto, offer culturally meaningful options that can be tailored to individual needs.
These dances may be performed in seated formats, standing positions, or with partners, depending on symptoms and stage of Parkinson’s.
Other styles include Zumba, Ballet, and Israeli circle dance.
Dance is an excellent form of exercise for people living with Parkinson’s.
If you struggle to begin exercising, try dancing; it is enjoyable, motivating, and effective.
Always consult your physiotherapist or neurologist before starting a new programme, and consider joining a local support group, which can provide valuable peer support and complement therapeutic interventions.
World Parkinson’s Day is marked on April 11, but advocacy and awareness should not be limited to a single day.
Everyone has a responsibility to continue raising awareness, supporting those affected, and promoting therapeutic options like dance throughout the year.
By doing so, we help reduce stigma, foster inclusion, and empower individuals living with Parkinson’s to thrive.
The writers are a Postgraduate Physiotherapy Candidate, Movement Disorder Specialist Physiotherapist (Korle Bu Teaching Hospital)/Co-ordinator & Treasurer, PD Support Group Ghana, E-mail:
