Unconventional Approach to the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease

Unconventional Approach to the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease

Video YouTube Dancing with Parkinson’s – 1min. 23 (24) sec.

Hello, everyone! Today I’m going to give a talk about unconventional approach to the treatment of Parkinson's disease . Parkinson's disease is a dopamine deficiency in the brain.

Every year, one in a hundred people over 60 falls ill with Parkinson's disease or Parkinsonism. In the early stages, the disease manifests itself in slowing down movements, especially when dressing, eating and walking. A person notes a decrease in hand dexterity, especially when performing movements involving fine motor skills — a violation of writing, difficulties in brushing teeth, shaving, etc. Facial expressions become scanty, the face becomes masklike. Speech is disrupted.

In addition to motor symptoms, people with Parkinson's disease suffer from fatigue, sleep disorders, stress and eventually develop cognitive problems.

All this greatly changes the lives of patients — at first a person loses his ability to work, and then independence.

There is a drug therapy that compensates for dopamine deficiency in the brain. Such treatment is aimed at slowing down the progression of the disease.

To reduce the severity of individual symptoms (both motor and non-motor), different types of physical activity, including dance practices, are used all over the world.

Why does it help?

1. It is known that musical accompaniment has a positive effect on brain activity.

2. While dancing, a person has to coordinate movements to the music, which stimulates the processes in the brain centers.

3. Movement improves blood circulation, and regular exercise improves coordination and balance.

4. Dancing develops the body — to the sound of music, you want to move smoothly, gradually, without sudden movements.

5. Music lessons are always positive emotions, which helps patients cope with stress.

• One of the widely used methods of dance classes in the world for patients with Parkinson's disease is Dance for PD®, which appeared in 2011. Currently, more than 100 such centers are operating in 20 countries around the world. The main goal of the program is for people to enjoy dancing for the sake of dancing in a group setting, as well as to explore the range of physical, artistic and creative opportunities that are still very open to them," says David Leventhal, professional dancer and co—founder of Dance for PD® (New York, USA).

In the USA and China, tango is more often used for Parkinson's disease, but waltz and lambada are more popular in Russia. Patients successfully perform elements of oriental dance as well.

Video «В Боливии болезнь Паркинсона лечат с помощью танцев» - 35 сек

Conclusion

In dance-movement therapy for the rehabilitation of patients with Parkinson's disease, the main goals and objectives are pursued and implemented:

1. Development of fine motor skills

2. Learning to feel one's own body

3. Development of concentration, motor imagination

4. Expansion of motor potential

5. Creation of a favorable atmosphere for the manifestation of spontaneous motor activity.

So, let’s dance a little altogether and just now!!!

Video: «Лечебный танец: показываем эксклюзивный танец, движения которого могут оздоравливать». – до 2 мин. 27 сек.