Effectiveness of Dance Therapy in Stroke Patients.

Summary

Hemiparesis following a stroke is associated with persistent deficits in postural control, balance, and social participation, especially in the chronic phase. Dance therapy, as a multisensory intervention based on movement, music, and body expression, could promote sensorimotor integration and improve postural stability, complementing conventional physiotherapy. The primary objective of this pilot study is to evaluate the effect of a therapeutic dance program on postural control in individuals with chronic hemiparesis. A secondary objective is to analyze changes in functional balance and gait, as well as subjective satisfaction with the therapy. A controlled study with two parallel groups will be conducted. Sixteen participants with chronic hemiparesis will be recruited (n=8 experimental group; n=8 control group). Both groups will receive standard physiotherapy, but the experimental group will also receive an 8-week therapeutic dance program, with one 30-minute session per week to complement their usual therapy. Pre- and post-intervention assessments will be performed. ThThe experimental group is expected to show a significantly greater improvement in posturographic and clinical parameters compared to the control group. The results could support the implementation of dance therapy as a complementary intervention in community neurorehabilitation programs.

Conditions

• Balance
• Gait Analysis
• Thermography
• Range of Motion, Articular
• Muscular Strength

Interventions

OTHER

Dance therapy

The experimental group will participate in an 8-week therapeutic dance program, with one 30-minute session per week, as a complement to their regular physiotherapy. Each session will integrate: • Bilateral and diagonal PNF patterns adapted to the affected side of the body. • Rhythmic movement guided by moderate-tempo music. • Exercises focused on postural symmetry and weight transfer. • Explicit and implicit motor learning strategies. The rhythmic components will be selected to optimize audio-motor synchronization, while the PNF patterns will aim to maximize sensorimotor activation and proximal stability. The intervention will be adaptable and progressive according to the patient's clinical response.

OTHER

Regular physiotherapy

All participants, including those in the control group, will receive standard physiotherapy provided by their primary care center, focused on functional maintenance, mobility, and strengthening, without dance or rhythmic PNF components. They will receive two 40-minute sessions per week, individualized and adapted to their functional status.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• INSTITUTO DE INVESTIGACION BIOMEDICA DE SALAMANCA (IBSAL)

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• University of Salamanca

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

80 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-05-15

Primary Completion

2026-10-30

Completion

2026-11-30

Countries

• Spain

Study Locations