Randomized Trial of Amazonian Dance vs Nordic Walking for Motor and Cognitive Symptoms in Parkinsons Disease Patients Aged 50 to 80

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effects of a 12-week Amazonian dance program on both cognitive and motor symptoms in adults aged 50 to 80 years with Parkinsons disease PD. This randomized controlled trial involves four groups at two university sites in Brazil, aiming to compare the dance intervention with a structured non-dance alternative. Participants have idiopathic PD in early to moderate stages and have been on stable PD medication for at least one year. Participants in the Amazonian Dance groups will attend two one-hour dance sessions per week for 12 weeks, featuring movements inspired by traditional Amazonian dances such as Lundum and Carimb, along with activities to improve memory, balance, and mobility. Control groups will receive an alternative intervention focused on general well-being, physical activity, and quality of life, such as Nordic walking sessions. Both interventions are delivered in structured sessions led by qualified professionals. During the study, participants will undergo assessments at baseline and after three months to measure changes in cognition using tools like MoCA and Stroop tests, as well as evaluations of language, mood, quality of life, functional mobility, fear of falling, and gait freezing. Researchers will also collect sociodemographic and clinical data. Data analysis will account for adherence, with at least 80% session attendance expected for inclusion in the main results. The total study duration for each participant is 12 weeks.

Effects of Amazonian Dance on Motor and Non-motor Symptoms of People With Parkinson's: Study Protocol