Dance & Parkinson’s Disease
Volunteers needed for a study into the effects of different
types of dance on the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
We are running a project that examines the relationship
between dance and the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. A handful of recent
studies has shown that dancing can be good for relieving some of the symptoms
of Parkinson’s disease. These studies have found that when people with
Parkinson’s engage in several weeks of Tango dancing they show measurable
improvements in their balance and walking, improvements that are not shown
following several weeks of gym based exercises. Our study aims to replicate and
extend these findings.
Following ten sessions of dance we want to answer the
following questions.
1. Does ten sessions of dance lead to improvements in the balance and walking (functional mobility) of people with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease?
2. Does ten sessions of dance lead to improvements in the
mental problem solving (cognitive functioning) of people with mild to moderate
Parkinson’s disease?
3. Does ten sessions of dance lead to improvements in the mood
of people with mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease?
4. Does ten sessions of dance lead to changes in the quality
of life of people with mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease?
5. Do different types of dance lead to different amounts of
change in these things?
Our study will help us to begin to answer these questions.
We are running this project in London and Manchester.
If you take part in the project you will undergo an initial
assessment, which will assess your walking and balance (and other areas of
functional mobility) and your problem solving abilities (and other areas of
cognitive processing). You will then take part in ten dance sessions, which
have been designed for people with mild-moderate Parkinson’s. Once you have
completed all the dance sessions we will assess your walking and balance and
problem solving abilities again.
Ethical
approval for this research project was granted on 6 April 2011 by the
Psychology Ethics Committee under delegated authority from the Ethics Committee
of the University of Hertfordshire. Protocol Number: PSY/04/11/Lovatt et al –
PL/LA/SD/CA
FAQs
Q: Do I have to have Parkinson’s to take part in this study?
A: Yes and No. We are looking for 30 people with mild-moderate
Parkinson’s and 30 people without Parkinson’s to take part in this study.
Q: What if I have severe Parkinson’s. Can I still take part?
A: No. For this study we are looking at the effects of dance
on people with mild-moderate Parkinson’s.
Q: Do I need to have any background or special skills in
dancing?
A: No. We welcome people of all backgrounds and abilities.
Q: Do I need to be flexible and physically fit to take part.
A: No. The dancing will be tailored to people’s ability
levels.
Q: What should I wear for the dance sessions?
A: You should wear loose comfortable clothing that does not
restrict your range of movements.
Q: Do I need to check with my GP before I take part in this
study?
A: If you have any injuries or medical conditions which mean
that you find light physical exercise difficult or painful then you should
consult with your GP before you take part in this study.
If you would like to take part in this study, or if you
would like to talk to someone on the project team before you make up your mind,
please contact Carine Lewis, the project coordinator.
Contact Information
Project Coordinator: Carine Lewis
Email: dance@herts.ac.uk
Phone: 01707 281340
Postal Address:
Dance Psychology Lab
School of Psychology
University of Hertfordshire
College Lane
Hatfield
Herts, AL10 9AB
Additional Contact Information
Principal Investigator: Dr Peter Lovatt p.j.lovatt@herts.ac.uk
Co-investigator: Dr Lucy Annett l.e.annett@herts.ac.uk
Dance for
People with Parkinson’s
London Sessions
All the London sessions will be held at
Studio 10
Moving Arts Base
134 Liverpool Road,
Islington
London
N1 1LA
Venue website: www.movingartsbase.eu
Project Co-ordinator: Carine Lewis
Project Office contact details: 01707 281340
Email: dance@herts.ac.uk
You will attend sessions twice a week (on Tuesdays and
Fridays) for six weeks. The first session will be Tuesday 7th June
2011.
At the first session, on Tuesday 7th June, your
functional mobility and your problem solving skills will be assessed. This session will take no more than 1
hour. We will arrange a suitable time with you for these assessments to be
carried out between the hours of 10am and 5pm.
You will then attend ten dance sessions with your dance
instructor Sami Russell. Your first dance session will be on Friday 10th
June.
You will be put in either Group A or Group B
If you are in Group A you will attend your first dance
session on Friday at 3.30
If you are in Group B you will attend your first dance
session on Friday at 4.30
At the final session, on Friday 15th July, your
functional mobility and your problem solving skills will be assessed
again. This session will take no
more than 1 hour. We will arrange a suitable time with you for these
assessments to be carried out between the hours of 10am and 5pm.
Please ensure that you wear loose comfortable clothing for
all sessions.
Dance for
People with Parkinson’s
London Schedule
|
Date
|
Activity
|
Group A
|
Group B
|
|
Tuesday
7th June
|
Assessment
|
10am
– 5pm TBA
|
10am
– 5pm TBA
|
|
Friday
10th June
|
Dance
Session 1
|
3.30
– 4.30
|
4.30
– 5.30
|
|
Tuesday
14th June
|
Dance
Session 2
|
11.00
– 12.00
|
12.00
– 1.00
|
|
Friday
17th June
|
Dance
Session 3
|
3.30
– 4.30
|
4.30
– 5.30
|
|
Tuesday
21st June
|
Dance
Session 4
|
11.00
– 12.00
|
12.00
– 1.00
|
|
Friday
24th June
|
Dance
Session 5
|
3.30
– 4.30
|
4.30
– 5.30
|
|
Tuesday
28th June
|
Dance
Session 6
|
11.00
– 12.00
|
12.00
– 1.00
|
|
Friday
1st July
|
Dance
Session 7
|
3.30
– 4.30
|
4.30
– 5.30
|
|
Tuesday
5th July
|
Dance
Session 8
|
11.00
– 12.00
|
12.00
– 1.00
|
|
Friday
8th July
|
Dance
Session 9
|
3.30
– 4.30
|
4.30
– 5.30
|
|
Tuesday
12th July
|
Dance
Session 10
|
11.00
– 12.00
|
12.00
– 1.00
|
|
Friday
15th July
|
Assessment
|
10am
– 5pm TBA
|
10am
– 5pm TBA
|
Directions (from movingartsbase website)
movingartsbase is located on the ground floor of the
Syracusae building: 134 Liverpool Road, Islington, N1 1LA.
To enter the premises, pass under the archway marked
‘Syracusae’. Once inside the courtyard, Studio 10 is the doorway to the right.
The office, Studio's 2/3, and the 1:1 Rooms are found in the main building at
the end of the courtyard. (Ring the movingartsbase bell for access)
Tube:
The Northern line to Angel tube station, and a short
six-minute walk along Liverpool Road to the studios.
The Victoria line to Highbury and Islington tube station, and
a fifteen-minute walk through Highbury Station Road and along Liverpool Road to
the studio.
Main Line station:
There is a main line and over ground line into Kings Cross
station, as well as Hammersmith and City, Metropolitan, District, Circle,
Northern and Victoria tube lines. Kings Cross is 15 minutes from the studio.
The North London Overground line to Highbury and Islington
station or Caledonian Road and Barnsbury, approximately at the same distance
from us.
Bus:
There are various bus services to and from Upper Street in
Islington, a five-minute walk from the studio.
Parking:
Parking Metered parking is available on Liverpool Road
outside the premises between the hours of 8.30am and 6.30pm, Monday to Friday
and 8.30am and 1.30pm on Saturdays. It is free of charge to park on Liverpool
Road outside these times.
Further parking is available from 7:30 at the NCP car park
adjacent to the N1 shopping centre, close to the Angel tube station. The car
park is situated in Parkfield Street, just off Upper Street and is accessed via
Berners Road, which runs along the side of the Business Design Centre. http://www.businessdesigncentre.co.uk/car-park
Bicycle racks are available within the courtyard.