The famous Argentine dance could improve balance and functional mobility in those diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, according to a recent Canadian study.
Researchers at the Montreal Neurological Institute of McGill University and the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre sought to investigate whether dancing the tango could help to curb the motor dysfunction and non-motor symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease.
Typically danced at a fairly slow pace to music in the 2/4 time signature, the sensual Argentine social dance could help to improve balance thanks to its specific combination of rhythmic backward and forward steps. Dancing lessons are also thought to benefit cognitive function by soliciting participants' memory and concentration.
For their study, the Canadian researchers recruited 40 patients diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinson's disease, the most common form of the illness. The participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Members of the first group participated in partnered tango lessons for 12 weeks, while the others engaged in self-directed exercise.
After the intervention, the researchers observed the change in motor measures (tremors, rigidity, gait dysfunction) and non-motor measures (depression, fatigue, cognition) among both groups.
Their results, published in the April 2015 issue of Complementary Therapies in Medicine, suggest that tango lessons were linked with improved balance and functional mobility in Parkinson's patients, as well as modest benefits in terms of decreasing fatigue and boosting cognitive function. Moreover, the tango participants in the study found the activity more enjoyable, and many of them saw improvements in their mood and social life. However, no difference was observed between the two groups in terms of overall motor function.
Like any other form of exercise, tango dancing may also help to reduce the risk of developing Parkinson's disease, according to the researchers.
In Argentina, certain hospitals already use tango lessons as an alternative therapy for depression in elderly patients and for certain psychiatric disorders.
AFP RELAXNEWS
Mon Apr 20 2015
Taking tango lessons could have therapeutic benefits for Parkinson's disease patients. - Mihai Blanaru/shutterstock.com
IShowSpeed tiba di KL, terima baju batik daripada peminat
Speed menerima hadiah daripada beberapa orang peminat Malaysia ketika kenderaannya berhenti di lampu isyarat di ibu negara pada Selasa,
Penyanyi Sean Diddy ditangakp di New York
Penerbit muzik terkenal, Puff Daddy atau lebih dikenali sebagai Sean Diddy Combs yang berdepan dengan beberapa tuduhan serangan seksual telah diberkas di Manhatann, New York oleh ejen persekutuan pada Isnin waktu tempatan.
10 maut, puluhan cedera bas Iran terbalik
Menurut angka awal, kemalangan itu mengakibatkan 10 maut dan 41 cedera.
Malaysia perlu melabur dalam infrastruktur
Pengarah Eksekutif Ukrainian Prism, Hennadiy Maksak berpandangan, Malaysia juga tidak boleh bergantung kepada satu laluan, selain menjalin hubungan yang baik dengan negara-negara jiran.
Lebih 1,000 rakyat termasuk pejuang Hezbollah cedera parah
Lebih seribu rakyat Lubnan termasuk anggota pejuang Hezbollah dan petugas perubatan cedera parah dalam satu letupan pada Selasa.
Tetingkap Tunggal Nasional memudahkan operasi perdagangan antara Malaysia dan China
Menteri Pelaburan, Perdagangan dan Industri (MITI), Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz berpendapat inisiatif Tetingkap Tunggal Nasional (National single window) yang bakal diharmonikan Bersama system kastam China akan memudahkan operasi perniagaan dan perdagangan (ease of doing business) antara Malaysia dan China.
Medan selera perlu ditambah baik, kemudahan asas tidak lengkap
Air bergenang di lantai dan tempias sehingga meja makan mengakibatkan pengunjung basah. Itu situasi apabila keadaan hujan lebat di Medan Selera Taman Makmur di dalam Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Mahkota yang menempatkan deretan 12 kedai makan.
Calon manfaat platform media sosial dekati pengundi luar
Kempen Pilihan Raya Kecil (PRK) Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Mahkota turut memberi tumpuan kepada penggunaan media sosial bagi menambat hati pengundi luar selain kempen secara bersemuka.
Seorang wanita maut jatuh lubang saluran air
Seorang wanita maut selepas terjatuh ke dalam lubang saluran air sedalam dua meter ketika menyertai aktiviti mendaki di Bukit Cherok Tok Kun pada Selasa.
Kerja pembersihan sisa kimia dijalankan pada Selasa
Kerja-kerja pembersihan sisa bahan kimia yang dibuang secara haram di Kawasan Perindustrian Tiong Nam dan Kawasan Perindustrian Tropika, Johor bermula pada Selasa.