Effects of contemporary dance and physiotherapy intervention on balance and postural control in Parkinson's disease

Effects of somatosensory-stimulating foot orthoses on postural balance in older adults: A computerized dynamic posturography analysis

BACKGROUND

Foot orthoses (FO) with protruding knobs designed to stimulate the mechanoreceptors on the glabrous skin of the foot have been proposed to enhance proprioception, thereby improving postural balance and stability. This study aimed to investigate the effects of these FO with stimulating knobs on the postural balance in the elderly using computerized dynamic posturography (CDP).

RESEARCH QUESTION

Do FO with stimulating knobs enhance postural balance in the elderly by improving scores related to sensory organization, motor control, and adaptation in response to different static and dynamic perturbation conditions?

METHODS

Twenty-three healthy elderly participants performed the CDP, which includes Sensory Organization Test, Motor Control Test, and Adaptation Test in both flat FO and stimulating FO. The Bertec Balance Advantage System with force plates was employed to collect comprehensive CDP data.

RESULTS

Our results indicated a significant improvement in the composite equilibrium score (MD=1.44, p = 0.048) and weight symmetry (MD=-1.85, p = 0.024) between the two limbs when using the stimulating FO compared to the flat FO condition. The latency and amplitude scaling during backward translation as well as sway energy during toes down perturbations were lower in females than males with stimulating FO (Latency: MD=-6.62, p = 0.044; Amplitude scaling: MD=-1.75, p = 0.011; Sway energy: MD=-40.08, p = 0.007).

SIGNIFICANCE

These findings highlight the potential of stimulating FO to provide enhanced somatosensory feedback for better postural control and coordination, underscoring their potential clinical application in improving balance and sensory integration.

Physiotherapists use dance in their clinical practice in creative and diverse ways

PURPOSE

To investigate how physiotherapists use dance in clinical practice.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study of Canadian physiotherapists with a web-based questionnaire distributed via social media and professional and healthcare organizations. Responses were analyzed with descriptive statistics and descriptive content analysis.

RESULTS

Of the 81 respondents included in the analysis, 36 (44%) had used dance in practice, while 45 (56%) had not. Respondents were more likely to have used dance in practice if they had formal dance experience (X2 (1, n = 81) = 3.73, p = .044). The rationale for implementing dance included improving physical, psychosocial, and cognitive outcomes. Common barriers were clinician inexperience and insufficient resources, while a common concern about using dance was that they may not be taken seriously.

CONCLUSION

Canadian physiotherapists used dance clinically in more diverse ways than reported in the scientific literature. Future work should evaluate these specific dance interventions and inform the development of clinical practice guidelines.

The efficacy of dance interventions for the activity and participation of individuals with cerebral palsy - a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

The aim of this review was to examine the efficacy of dance interventions for individuals with cerebral palsy (CP), measured at any level of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). A comprehensive search of peer-reviewed articles was performed using six electronic databases.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies were included in this review, nine of which were also included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analyses yielded a large overall effect for cognitive, motor, and social-emotional function outcomes, with a high degree of heterogeneity between outcome effects, attributable to differences in study design.

CONCLUSION

Although recent studies provide support for the acceptance and efficacy of dance interventions for people with CP, the systematic review revealed significant limitations in study design (only 2 randomised control trials). High-quality research that measures outcomes across all dimensions of the ICF, and particularly at the level of participation, are needed to improve the level of empirical support for dance-based interventions.

Effects of a Modified Tap Dance Program on Ankle Function and Postural Control in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Older adults are at a high risk of falling due to age-related degradations in physical fitness. This study aimed to examine the effects of a modified tap dance program (MTD) on ankle function and postural control in older adults. Forty-four healthy older adults (mean age = 64.1 years, with 9 men) were recruited from local communities and were randomly divided into the MTD group and the control (CON) group. The MTD group received 12 weeks of MTD training 3 times per week for 30 min per session. Outcomes were measured using the five times sit-to-stand test (FTSST) for ankle strength, the universal goniometer for ankle range of motion, and the Footscan^® to trace the center of pressure. Results revealed significant improvements in FTSST in the MTD group (mean difference = 1.01), plantar flexion (left = 9.10, right = 10.0). In addition, the MTD group displayed significantly more improvements at midtest than the CON group in FTSST (mean difference = 1.51) and plantar flexion (mean difference: left = 6.10; right = 4.5). Therefore, the MTD can be an effective exercise program for ankle function improvement, but it has limited effects on improving postural control among healthy older adults.

Effect of Dance on Balance, Mobility, and Activities of Daily Living in Adults With Cerebral Palsy: A Pilot Study

The age-related decline in motor function with respect to balance and mobility may hamper the activities of daily living, quality of life, and social participation. Despite the importance of managing secondary conditions leading to premature aging, the literature regarding appropriate physical activity for adults with cerebral palsy (CP) is still scarce. Dance forms have emerged as an effective physical activity that improves balance and mobility in individuals with neurological conditions and boosts social engagement. However, its effect on adults with CP has yet to be examined. This pilot study aimed to examine the long-term effect of dance on improving balance and mobility in adults with CP. This single-cohort study included 10 adults with CP. They attended two 90-min-long creative dance sessions per week for 12 weeks. The outcomes measured effects on balance, mobility, balance confidence, and level of functional independence. These measurements were obtained at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and the 3-month follow-up. Outcome data of pre- to post-intervention and pre-intervention to 3-month follow-up were analyzed and compared. Statistically significant differences were found in the pre- and post-intervention displacement of the center of pressure (CoP) in the eyes-opened (EO) condition, timed up and go test (TUG), and Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), and Korean-Activity of Balance Confidence (K-ABC) scores. Significant improvements were also observed for the CoP-EO, BBS, TUG, DGI, and K-ABC between the pre-intervention and 3-month follow-up assessments. However, there were no significant differences in the CoP in the eyes-closed condition and Korean modified Barthel Index score. Participants expressed enjoyment without any pain or fatigue. Our findings suggest that dance may have a positive impact in improving balance and mobility and may consequently contribute to healthy aging in adults with CP.