To evaluate the effects of a ballet-based world first dance intervention on the key non-motor and motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease using validated outcome measures. 

A randomised, single-blind, controlled, diversity-enabled trial of 77 people with Parkinson’s across all motor stages randomly allocated to either an intervention (n=53) or a control group (n=24). Primary outcome was a change in non-motor symptoms as measured by the Movement Disorders Society Non-Motor Scale (MDS-NMS). The intervention protocol consisted of 12 one-weekly dance sessions led by English National Ballet dancers, as part of the Wellcome Trust-funded SHAPER programme. Each session was followed by a ‘tea and biscuit’ social time. Control group followed standard clinical pathway and joined the ‘tea and biscuit’ to control for any positive effects of social interactions. All participants were assessed at baseline, immediately after completion of the intervention and 3-6 months later to explore any potential longitudinal effects. 

Multimodal, programmed exercise interventions such as PD-Ballet can lead to an improvement of overall non-motor burden, pain and motor symptoms, including but not limited to activities of daily living.