Parkinson’s Meets the Dance Floor

Evidence-based insights into how music and movement create meaningful change

When you hear the word Parkinson’s, what comes to mind? For most, it’s the well-known motor symptoms—tremors, stiffness, and slowness of movement. But Parkinson’s Disease (PD) affects far more than just physical function. It touches mood, cognition, confidence, and social connection.

That’s why the benefits of dance—yes, dance—go well beyond what you might expect.

ABC: Keep on Dancing

The Science Is Catching Up

Research shows that dance offers a unique blend of physical, cognitive, emotional and social stimulation that directly supports people with PD.

Mobility and walking:

In a 2022 study, walking speed significantly improved after just one dance class—even without music. Before class, music improved walking speed; but after class, music made no difference, suggesting participants internalised the rhythm (Jola, Sundström & McLeod, 2022).

Balance:

In a 10-week program with 39 participants, dance led to significant improvements in balance, cadence, and walking speed. These gains were not just short-lived—they were still present one month after the program ended (Hackney & Earhart, 2010).

Mood:

A 12-week dance intervention significantly reduced total mood disturbance scores in people with PD. The most notable changes were decreases in anger and fatigue, especially among participants with higher levels of depression (Lewis et al., 2016).

These aren't just feel-good anecdotes—these are measurable, statistically significant changes.

Parkinson's meets the dance floor. Image by Wix

Why Dance?

Dance uniquely combines:

• Movement that’s dynamic, rhythmical and engaging
  

• Music that activates brain areas tied to motivation and emotion
  

• Cognitive challenge through learning new steps and sequences
  

• Social connection, which helps reduce isolation
  

• And perhaps most importantly—JOY!
  

Participants frequently described the classes as uplifting, energising, and meaningful. As one dancer put it:

“After just two minutes [dancing] I tend to walk pretty normal—dancing and music are definitely the key to Parkinson’s illness”  (Jola et al., 2022, p. 7).

Dance for healthy aging. Image by Wix

Internal Rhythm, External Results

What’s especially fascinating is how the benefits evolve over time. Before class, music acts as an external prompt to initiate movement. But after regular participation, people began moving well without music, suggesting they’d internalised the beat. This kind of rhythm-driven motor learning may help bypass damaged pathways in the brain and support smoother movement (Jola et al., 2022; Ghai et al., 2018).

It’s neuroplasticity in action: the brain adapting, learning, and rewiring in response to meaningful movement and sensory input.

A Community That Moves Together

Beyond physical improvements, participants repeatedly described the social and emotional benefits. Many said they looked forward to the weekly sessions—not just to move, but to feel understood and connected. Words like comradeship, support, and shared experience came up time and time again (Jola et al., 2022).

Whether it’s seated movement or standing choreography, dance creates a space where people with Parkinson’s can feel seen, capable, and joyful.

Final Thoughts

Dance isn't a cure for Parkinson’s—but it is a powerful, evidence-based way to support wellbeing on multiple levels.

✨ Improved balance and walking speed ✨ Reduced fatigue and mood disturbance ✨ A renewed sense of confidence and joy

Whether it’s tango, jazz, creative movement or waltz, the goal isn’t perfect technique. The goal is participation, pleasure, and possibility.

References:

Ghai, S., Ghai, I., Schmitz, G., & Effenberg, A. O. (2018). Effect of rhythmic auditory cueing on parkinsonian gait: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Scientific Reports, 8, 506. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-16232-5

Hackney, M. E., & Earhart, G. M. (2010). Effects of dance on gait and balance in Parkinson’s disease: A comparison of partnered and nonpartnered dance movement. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, 24(4), 384–392. https://doi.org/10.1177/1545968309353329

Jola, C., Sundström, M., & McLeod, J. (2022). Benefits of dance for Parkinson’s: The music, the moves, and the company. PLOS ONE, 17(11), e0265921. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0265921

Lewis, C., Annett, L. E., Davenport, S., Hall, A. A., & Lovatt, P. (2016). Mood changes following social dance sessions in people with Parkinson’s disease. Journal of Health Psychology, 21(4), 483–492. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105314529681