Parkinson Ballroom Fitness: The Impact of Personalized Dance on Motor- and Nonmotor Symptoms in People With Parkinson's

NCT07278297 | Enrolling By Invitation DMC

• 1 other identifier: 1-10-72-46-25
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 50
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Parkinson Ballroom-Fitness (PB-Fit) is a group-based dance program developed for people with Parkinson's disease. Through music and movement at three different levels (seated, standing, and walking), participants work on balance, gait, strength, and coordination, while also experiencing joy, social connection, and renewed vitality. The purpose of the present research project is to investigate whether seven weeks of PB-Fit training can improve gait and balance and enhance well-being and quality of life, and whether any effects are maintained twelve weeks after the intervention ends. The study is a randomized controlled trial with approximately forty participants and is conducted in collaboration with the Danish Parkinson's Association. The PB-Fit program is based on dance styles such as waltz, swing, and Latin, and is individually adapted. Training takes place in small groups, where participants learn basic steps and work with both motor and cognitive challenges. The program is evidence-informed but lacks quantitative evaluation, which is the aim of this study. PB-Fit is more than training-it is a community rooted in music, smiles, and meaningful relationships, where people with Parkinson's disease, regardless of functional level, are given the opportunity to experience joy, strength, and hope. This was clearly illustrated in the TV2 documentary "As Long as We Dance," in which several participants on the trip to Mallorca described their enthusiasm and the meaningfulness of PB-Fit. The study is led by Associate Professor Martin Langeskov Christensen, PhD (Regional Hospital Viborg), in collaboration with Aarhus University and dance instructor Elisabeth Dalsgaard. The results will be published in an international scientific journal and shared with both professionals and participants. Support from the Jascha Foundation will enable the study to be carried out and provide people with Parkinson's disease access to a meaningful, joyful, and evidence-based form of exercise. The long-term goal is to expand PB-Fit nationally and establish it as a permanent training option within municipalities and patient organizations across the country.

Conditions

Parkinson Disease (PD); Exercise Training; Dance Therapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Six Spot Step Test (SSST)

  25 weeks (from baseline assessment to post assessment = 7 weeks + 12 weeks follow-up period)

Study Arms (2)

PB-Fit group

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: PB-Fit intervention

Waitlist-control group

OTHER

This group will contribute as a control group as the PB-Fit group undergo the 7-week intervention. After the post assessment this group will also the receive the 7-week intervention.

Other: PB-Fit intervention

Interventions

PB-Fit intervention OTHER

The intervention is 7 weeks of Parkinson Ballroom Fitness. A dance exercise program made specifically for persons with Parkinson Disease. This the first study to assess the effects of Parkinson Ballroom Fitness on motor and non-motor symptoms in persons with Parkinson Disease.

PB-Fit group; Waitlist-control group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 40 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Age ≥ 40 years
• Clinical PD diagnosis
• Ability to attend testing and dancing classes independently or with a caregiver / family

You may not qualify if:

• Comorbidities that prevent participation in the intervention
• Moderate to severe cognitive impairment (Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test (MoCA) \<18)
• Recent fractures or critical physical impairments
• Participation in structured exercise therapy (including dancing) in the past 3 months (≥ 2 sessions per week of moderate-to-high intensity)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Central Jutland Regional Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Viborg Regional Hospital

Viborg, Central Jutland, 8800, Denmark

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Parkinson Disease

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Parkinsonian Disorders; Basal Ganglia Diseases; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Movement Disorders; Synucleinopathies; Neurodegenerative Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 21, 2025
• First Posted: December 12, 2025
• Study Start: October 21, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Last Updated: December 12, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-10

Locations

DK (1)