'Tango is often associated with passion - but as therapy for Parkinson’s disease? When Stuart from Kew, NSW was diagnosed with Parkinson’s it had the unexpected outcome of reviving his life-long zeal for the dance'. For the past year, Tango teachers Sheila and Russell Wilkinson have been holding Tango classes for the Port Macquarie Parkinson's support group... Wiriya Sati from ABC Open visited the group, to see how things were progressing...
Tango for Parkinson's from ABC Open Mid North Coast NSW on Vimeo.
Tango for Parkinson's by Wiriya Sati - Open ABC weblink
La Trobe University in conjunction with the University of Limerick and St John of God Hospital in Venice is conducting an international study using dance to alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
‘Parkinson’s disease results in muscle rigidity and tremors making it difficult for sufferers to move’, said Professor Meg Morris, lead researcher of the project at La Trobe University.
‘But following trials in Melbourne last year we found that Parkinson’s disease sufferers are “unlocked by dance”, and are able to move more freely. We think dancing can improve mobility and reduce the number of falls in people with Parkinson’s disease,’ said Professor Morris.
We hope this research will provide practitioners with more effective therapy. Not only does dance help reduce symptoms, it also increases wellbeing, happiness and life quality among patients,’ said Professor Morris.
‘Every week I hear from participants about how thankful they are for the dance classes and for the research we are undertaking. Through this study Australia is fast becoming a world leader in Parkinson’s disease research.’ - Excerpt from La Trobe University - click here to read the full article.
