THE GUARDIAN: Parkinson's disease and dance: 'It keeps me alive'

Description

And a new study led by Dr Judith Bek at Manchester University’s Body, Eyes and Movement Laboratories suggests dance classes can help people with Parkinson’s to tackle everyday domestic tasks more effectively.

 

Her project – collaborating with ENB, Manchester Metropolitan University and dance social enterprise Equilibrium – used ballet and classical Indian dance. Some participants reported that Indian hand gestures had allowed them to do previously impossible practical tasks, such as opening jars and reaching for objects.

Bek is excited. “Imagine what a big selling point it would be with NHS and social care services if we could could prove that dance helps daily activity,” she says.