Canadian scientists say their research shows that dancing the Argentine tango can improve balance and provide “modest” benefits on cognition and fatigue in patients with Parkinson’s disease.
The Complementary Therapies in Medicine study involved 40 men and women who characteristically suffer from tremor, rigidity and gait dysfunction, as well as certain non-motor symptoms such as depression, fatigue and cognitive degeneration, according to published reports. The study was conducted over three months at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital-The Neuro, McGill University and the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre.
“There’s accumulating evidence that habitual physical activity is associated with a lower risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, which suggests a potential slowing of PD progression,” said lead researcher Silvia Rios Romenets, M.D. She and her colleagues added that the Latin dance may be particularly helpful for improving functional mobility and walking in PD patients.
