Hula for Parkinson's Disease

(PAHU Trial)

Overseen By Michiko Bruno, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Hawaii

Disqualifiers: Severe comorbidities, Drug dependence, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 12

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether a hula dance program can help people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) improve movement and quality of life. Hula combines light exercise, social interaction, and stress relief, which may slow the disease’s effects and enhance balance and mood. The program is specially designed for PD patients who have difficulty moving. People with Parkinson's who can attend weekly classes in person and have no other severe health issues might be suitable for this trial. Participants will engage in the hula program for three months and provide feedback on their experience. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative ways to enhance well-being and quality of life.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on adding a hula program as a non-drug approach, so you may not need to change your medications, but it's best to confirm with the study team.

What prior data suggests that this hula program is safe for Parkinson's patients?

Research shows that dance programs, like hula, can be safe and beneficial for people with Parkinson's disease (PD). Studies have found that cultural dances, such as hula, offer physical, mental, and spiritual benefits, which are important for managing PD symptoms.

Participants in similar dance programs have reported improvements without major safety concerns. For instance, a small study on a dance program found it was popular and helped with movement and balance. This suggests that the hula program could be safe for those with PD, focusing on exercise, reducing stress, and providing social support.

While this is promising, experiences can differ from person to person. Always consult healthcare professionals before starting new activities. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about using hula dancing for Parkinson's Disease because it offers a novel, non-pharmaceutical approach to managing symptoms. Unlike standard treatments that primarily involve medications like Levodopa or dopamine agonists to manage motor symptoms, hula provides a form of physical therapy that incorporates rhythmic movement, balance, and coordination. This approach not only aims to improve physical symptoms but could also enhance mood and social interaction, offering a holistic benefit that traditional medications might not address. Additionally, hula dancing is a culturally enriching activity that can increase patient engagement and adherence to therapy, making it a promising complementary option in Parkinson's care.

What evidence suggests that hula might be an effective treatment for Parkinson's?

Research has shown that dance, including hula, can improve symptoms in people with Parkinson's disease. Studies have found that dance therapy enhances balance, movement, and muscle control. A combined analysis of studies found that dance positively affects movement symptoms and overall mobility in Parkinson's patients. Cultural dance programs like hula offer physical, mental, and spiritual benefits, aligning well with the needs of those with Parkinson's. This trial specifically focuses on a hula pilot intervention, and existing evidence from similar dance therapies supports its potential benefits for those living with Parkinson's disease. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals over 25 years old with a primary diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's Disease, confirmed by a specialist. Participants should be at Hoehn and Yahr Stage 2.5 or below, meaning they can walk independently without balance issues, and must be able to give informed consent.

Inclusion Criteria

I have Parkinson's diagnosed by a specialist, am over 25, can walk without help, and can consent.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Hula Program

Participants engage in a hula program tailored for PD patients, consisting of one-hour sessions once a week for 3 months

12 weeks

12 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the hula program, including motor testing and interviews for feedback

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Hula for Parkinson's

Trial Overview The PAHU study tests the feasibility of a hula program tailored for Parkinson's patients with mobility difficulties. It involves moderate physical activity designed to potentially prevent neurodegeneration, improve balance/mobility, reduce cardiovascular risks, provide social support, and enhance overall quality of life.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Hula Pilot Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Hula pilot 3 month program for PD patients.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Hawaii

Lead Sponsor

Trials

122

Recruited

55,200+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A pilot study involving 10 patients with Parkinson's disease showed that participating in tango dance lessons, combined with home exercises, led to improvements in quality of life and motor function as measured by the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale.

The study suggests that a home-based exercise protocol derived from tango dance can be an effective rehabilitative approach for individuals with Parkinson's disease, addressing organizational barriers to participation in traditional dance classes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility of home exercises to enhance the benefits of tango dancing in people with Parkinson's disease. Albani, G., Veneziano, G., Lunardon, C., et al.[2019]

A dance exercise program using the video game 'Dance Dance Revolution' (DDR) was found to be enjoyable and easy to use for 16 participants with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease, potentially improving their adherence to physical activity.

Participants reported benefits such as improved balance and coordination, indicating that DDR could effectively incorporate key physical therapy recommendations for Parkinson's disease, warranting further research in a larger study.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Perceptions of a Videogame-Based Dance Exercise Program Among Individuals with Parkinson's Disease. Natbony, LR., Zimmer, A., Ivanco, LS., et al.[2021]

This study aims to assess the feasibility of a larger trial evaluating the benefits of dance for people with Parkinson's disease, involving 50 participants who will be randomized to either a dance intervention or usual care.

The research will explore not only the physical benefits, such as balance and spinal posture, but also the personal experiences of participants, which could provide valuable insights for future dance programs tailored for individuals with Parkinson's disease.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A design to investigate the feasibility and effects of partnered ballroom dancing on people with Parkinson disease: randomized controlled trial protocol. Ashburn, A., Roberts, L., Pickering, R., et al.[2022]

Dance interventions have been shown to significantly improve motor symptoms, particularly balance and motor symptom severity, in individuals with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease, based on a systematic review of 16 randomized controlled trials involving 636 participants.

While dance shows promise for enhancing motor function, further research is needed to explore its effects on non-motor symptoms and overall quality of life, with recommendations for larger studies using mixed-methods approaches to better understand the most effective program elements.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The efficacy of dance for improving motor impairments, non-motor symptoms, and quality of life in Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Carapellotti, AM., Stevenson, R., Doumas, M.[2023]

The Dance for Parkinson's Disease® (DfPD®) program, conducted over 8 weeks with 16 Greek patients, significantly improved quality of life, depressive symptoms, fatigue, cognitive functions, balance, and body mass index, indicating its efficacy as a therapeutic intervention.

The program was found to be safe and feasible, with no adverse events reported, high adherence (93.75%), and low dropout rates (12.5%), suggesting it is a viable non-pharmacological option for managing Parkinson's Disease.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of a structured dance program in Parkinson's disease. A Greek pilot study. Elpidoforou, M., Bakalidou, D., Drakopoulou, M., et al.[2022]

Citations

1. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-parkinson-disease-7-2024-c8a56

Hula for Parkinson's Disease (PAHU Trial) A pilot study involving 10 patients with Parkinson's disease showed that participating in tango dance lessons, combined with home exercises, led to improvements ...

2. mdsabstracts.org mdsabstracts.org/abstract/designing-a-cultural-dance-program-for-people-with-parkinsons-disease/

Designing a Cultural Dance Program for People with ... Results: All groups agreed that hula could provide physical, mental, and spiritual benefits for PD and provided guidance on safety concerns. Key informants ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8683737/

Characterization of dance-based protocols used in rehabilitation The results showed a greater effectiveness with the dance therapy ... “Dance Therapy” as a psychotherapeutic movement intervention in Parkinson's disease.

4. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33966112/

Efficacy of dance for Parkinson's disease: a pooled ... Dance improves the symptoms and outcomes in patients with PD, especially motor symptoms. Dance also has positive effects on balance, functional mobility, and ...

5. youtube.com youtube.com/watch?v=da8A-Gnd8LU

New research study looks into benefits of hula dancing as a ... They will be looking at the positive effects that dancing hoola may have on improving the quality of life for those living with Parkinson's disease.

6. digitalcommons.ncf.edu digitalcommons.ncf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=7299&context=theses_etds

an investigation of dance/movement therapy on those with ... The DMT group (N=7) participants were recruited from the “Dance for Parkinson's”, “Exercise with Alix!”, “Rock. Steady Boxing with Manny”, and “ ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844021026761

Characterization of dance-based protocols used in ... Dance is an innovative intervention strategy for patients with comorbidities or underlying pathologies as well as for those in good health.

8. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2780534/

Dance as Therapy for Individuals with Parkinson Disease Recent studies indicate that dance may be an effective alternative to traditional exercise for addressing these areas of concern to individuals with PD.