February 12, 2008
Vital Signs | Exercise
Exercise: Parkinson’s Patients Benefit From Tango
By ERIC NAGOURNEY
When the band strikes up a tango, people with Parkinson’s disease may want to head for the dance floor.
That is the lesson from a new study reporting that when Parkinson’s patients took tango classes, their balance improved.
Problems with walking and balance are common among people with the disease, and often lead to falls. Among the difficulties, the researchers said, are shuffling and trouble turning while walking. Patients may experience a sudden “freezing” that can either slow them down or stop them entirely. They also have trouble walking while performing another activity at the same time.
The study appears in the December issue of The Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy. The lead author is Madeleine E. Hackney of the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
The researchers described what happened when 19 Parkinson’s patients were given either 20 tango classes or 20 exercise classes. The exercise class consisted of one hour of movement, much of it in chairs or using chairs for support. The tango class was more vigorous, and focused on stretching, balance, footwork and timing.
Both groups demonstrated general improvement, but only the tango students appeared to do better when it came to balance. The improvement was fairly limited, and the researchers said more study was needed.
Of course if you drink when you tango it ruins the benefit.
Have a blessed day,
Daniel
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When we challenge our muscles we also challenge our brains. Moving to music with another human being as is done in Tango add some very nice complexity…not just place steps with rhythms and other nuances of the music but also the emotional aspect of working with a partner…
When we challenge our muscles we also challenge our brains. Moving to music with another human like in Tango dancing adds some nice complexity…not just placing steps with rhythms and other nuances of the music but also with the emotional aspect of working with a partner…