Digital Dance for People With Parkinson's Disease During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Dance as a treatment to support physical, cognitive and emotional functioning, has gained increased acceptance as a healthcare intervention for people with Parkinson's Disease (PD). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been far reaching with devastating effects for at-risk populations. To find alternative and safe treatment delivery options during the pandemic has been of outmost importance. This mixed-methods, feasibility study on digital for people with Parkinson's Disease aimed to investigate: (1) the feasibility and safety of a digital home-based dance intervention for people with PD; (2) change in self-reported quality of life, cognitive complaints, psychological health and fatigue; and (3) the experience of digital dance for people with PD. Twenty-three participants partook in 10 weekly digital dance classes at home via zoom. Feasibility outcomes measures were administered at post-test. Pre-post changes in self-reported quality of life, cognitive complaints, psychological health and fatigue were measured, as well as the experience of digital dance via focus groups.