Many recent studies have shown that this form of dance helps patients improve their gait, balance, and mobility; while improving their relationships with their partners.Research has shown that performing the Argentine Tango, a partnered dance based on walking, improves the balance and gait of Parkinson's patients, according to a Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital news release about the class.
Eight couples attended the April 9 class in the Funktion Dance Complex on Route 1 in the Monmouth Junction section of the township. Pall told her students to keep their hips balanced and sturdy, while imagining their torsos were separate and light. The leading partner was to project where they would step next, and then step into space occupied by their partner as the partner stepped away, hopefully in sync.
Recent research has shown that dance, specifically tango, may be an appropriate and effective strategy for ameliorating functional mobility deficits in people who are frail and elderly. Individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) experience declines in functional mobility that may be even more pronounced than those experienced by frail elderly individuals without PD.
Patients with Parkinson's disease who took part in regular tango dance classes for 20 sessions showed significant improvements in balance and mobility when compared to patients who did conventional exercise, a new study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis shows.
To learn more about exercise or about the Parkinson Research Foundation, please visit us at http://www.parkinsonresearchfoundation.org/. As always please consult your physician before beginning a new health regime. ur next educational cruise has been planned for January 8th-15th, 2012 and will feature a 1950's sock-hop them, so lace up your shoes...grab your poodle skirts and come dance to the tune of your own beat. Ask youself: When else will you be sailing the open sea with a boat
full of Parkinson experts? PRF employs renowned neurologists,
nutritionists and movement-disorder specialists to educate cruisers
on revolutionary breakthroughs in Parkinson treatment research. As always, please consult your physician before beginning a new diet of health regime. Thank you for your continued support!
Resources:http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20110419/NJNEWS/104190340/Parkinson-s-patients-spouses-tango-to-improve-balance
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18172414
http://www.michaeljfox.org/newsEvents_parkinsonsInTheNews_article.cfm?ID=292
Thank you for posting this information about our Tango for PD program! In May/June we offered an eight week series of classes at Funktion Dance Complex, Monmouth Junction NJ. We will be offering a five week series starting Tuesday, Oct. 4 and a six week series starting Nov. 8 at Funktion.
ReplyDeleteEileen Pall
TheraTango LLC