By InvitationNot Applicable

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

Denmark50 participantsStarted 2025-10-21

Plain-language 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.

Who can participate

Age range

40 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥ 40 years * Clinical PD diagnosis * Ability to attend testing and dancing classes independently or with a caregiver / family Exclusion Criteria: * 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)

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1This trial uses personalized dance as a therapy for Parkinson's — how does dance-based movement compare to my current physical therapy or exercise routine in terms of managing my motor symptoms?
2The trial is measuring balance and mobility using something called the Six Spot Step Test — given where I am with my Parkinson's symptoms right now, is my level of mobility a good fit for this kind of activity?
3Since this study is 'enrolling by invitation,' can you help me find out who is running it and whether there's a way for me to be considered or referred?
4This trial is listed as Phase NA, which often means it's focused on studying feasibility or outcomes rather than a drug — does that mean there's less risk involved, and what would participating actually require of me week to week?
5Are there any standard treatments or existing exercise programs I should try first before exploring a dance therapy study like this one?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Six Spot Step Test (SSST)

Timeframe: 7 weeks (from baseline assessment to post assessment)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07278297

SponsorCentral Jutland Regional Hospital

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-10-01

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Parkinson Disease (PD) trials