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Cognitive, Affective, and Motor Effects of Tangotherapy in Parkinson's Disease

NCT05904171 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 45

Last updated 2025-09-03

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Neuroscientific research has shown a close relationship between physical fitness and cognition, showing a positive effect of physical activity (e.g., aerobic activity) on the maintenance of psycho-cognitive well-being in the elderly. In particular, dancing seems to be very effective, as it involves both motor and multisensory aspects (touch, sight, hearing, proprioception), stimulating memory, motor learning and social interaction. In fact, dance increases sensory-motor skills and cognitive performance in the neurologically healthy elderly. Dance-based therapeutic approaches, in particular Argentine tango, have also been implemented in the context of neurodegenerative pathologies, including Parkinson's disease (PD) where motor (i.e., tremors, postural instability, motor slowdown) and cognitive difficulties (e.g., executive deficits) may coexist. Most of these studies have so far demonstrated a significant improvement in balance and a reduction in motor symptoms, while evidence regarding cognitive and emotional benefits brought about by dance remains limited. When investigated, cognitive benefits have often been evaluated at the level of global cognition (i.e., screening tests), without a detailed characterization of the effects of tango on cognitive and affective functioning (e.g., executive functions, social cognition, depressive symptoms), central aspects in Parkinson's disease.

Conditions

  • Parkinson Disease

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Tangotherapy

Learning and practicing a series of moves - both individual and with a partner - taken from Argentine Tango, according to the Riabilitango (R) approach. The training is aimed at improving both physical (e.g., balance, change of direction, coordination, endurance) and cognitive (i.e., learning, divided attention, inhibition, planning) domains, in a pleasant, enjoyable, and inclusive environment. This group-based training will take place twice a week (1h each session), for 6 weeks.

BEHAVIORAL

Physical activity

Walking and stretching in group twice a week (1h each session), for 6 weeks.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Istituto Auxologico Italiano

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Nadia Bolognini, PhD · Laboratorio di Neuropsicologia, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
40 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2023-02-20
Primary Completion
2025-05-09
Completion
2025-05-09

Countries

  • Italy

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT05904171 on ClinicalTrials.gov