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

Enrolling by invitation · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Parkinson Disease (PD), Exercise Training, Dance Therapy

In brief

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.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07278297

Run by

Central Jutland Regional Hospital

People needed

50

Starts

2025-10-21

Expected to finish

2026-12-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-07-29

Who can join

Age: 40 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Age ≥ 40 years
• Clinical PD diagnosis
• Ability to attend testing and dancing classes independently or with a caregiver / family

You may not qualify if…

• 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)

Where it is running

• Viborg Regional Hospital — Viborg, Central Jutland, Denmark

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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