The Effects of Adapted Tango on Dynamic Balance and Dual-Task Performance in Parkinson’s Disease

This study investigated the effects of Adapted Tango (AT) on dynamic balance, dual-tasking, and leg muscle antagonist activity in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD), a condition characterized by cognitive and muscular difficulties. A total of 33 participants with mild-to-moderate PD were recruited and assigned to either an AT group (<i>n</i> = 16, 9 M/7F) or a control group (<i>n</i> = 17, 10 M/7F). Participants' dual-task performance was evaluated using Serial 7 walking tasks and the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) at three different time points: before the intervention, immediately after, and four weeks post-intervention. Additionally, muscle activity modulation (the ability to activate and inhibit muscles appropriately) was quantified using Modulation Indices (MI) derived from EMG data. The results demonstrated an improvement in dual-task performance following the AT intervention; however, these differences between the AT and control groups were not statistically significant (<i>p</i> > 0.05). Notably, significant enhancements in DGI scores were observed in the AT group compared to controls (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Conversely, MI did not significantly change after the intervention (<i>p</i> > 0.05). This research highlights the potential of Adapted Tango in enhancing dynamic balance for individuals with PD, suggesting a need for larger-scale randomized trials to provide further evidence and inform clinical practice.