A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial Comparing Irish Set Dancing to Usual Care for People With Parkinson's Disease

A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial Comparing Irish Set Dancing to Usual Care for People With Parkinson's Disease

Primary aim is to conduct a pilot trial to determine:

1. The feasibility and efficiency of randomisation procedures and study design
2. If recruitment rates are sufficient to adequately power a larger trial

The secondary aim is to determine the efficiency of set dancing in comparison to a control for people with Patkinson's disease.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Have a diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (Hackney et al 2007; Marchant et al 2010), stage 1-2.5 on the modified Hoeln and Yahr scale for staging of Parkinson's disease (Batson 2010)
• Able to walk three meters with an assistive device
• Over 18 years of age
• Not pregnant
• Have access to a computer/DVD player to allow them to participate in the home exercise programme

Exclusion Criteria:

• A serious cardiovascular and/or pulmonary condition (Lodder et al 2004)
• A neurological deficit other than Parkinson's disease (Batson 2010; Marchant et al 2010)
• Evidence of a musculoskeletal problem (Duncan and Earhart 2012), contraindicating participation in exercise participation(Lodder et al 2004)
• A cognitive or hearing problem which will affect their ability to follow instructions or hear the music (Batson 2010)
• Participated in regular dance classes in the past six months (Marchant et al 2010)