NeuroDance: study protocol for a non-randomized multicenter study of a mixed-style dance intervention for people with Parkinson’s disease

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder associated with substantial motor and non-motor impairments that significantly reduce functional independence and quality of life. While pharmacological treatments remain essential, they often fail to adequately address complex symptoms such as balance deficits, cognitive dysfunction, and reduced wellbeing. Multimodal, non-pharmacological interventions are therefore increasingly recognized as important complementary approaches. This study protocol introduces NeuroDance, a novel, structured dance-based intervention designed to target the multidimensional symptom profile of Parkinson’s disease. NeuroDance integrates multiple dance styles—including Country dance, Greek folk dance, Tango, and Polka—with improvisational elements. By combining rhythmic auditory cueing, movement variability, social interaction, and internally generated movement, the intervention aims to promote motor learning, enhance neuroplasticity, and improve psychological wellbeing. NeuroDance is a multicenter quasi-experimental study conducted across four European countries. It consists of two sequential phases: a feasibility phase and an exploratory effectiveness phase. The feasibility phase uses a single-group pre–post design to evaluate the acceptability, safety, adherence, and practical implementation of the intervention and assessment procedures. Findings from this phase will inform refinements of the intervention protocol and will be reported separately. The exploratory effectiveness phase uses a controlled pre–post design including a NeuroDance intervention group and control group. The 18-week intervention is delivered twice weekly in group sessions and is adapted to participants’ individual functional capacities. Primary outcomes include gait, mobility, coordination, balance, cognitive performance, quality of life and subjective wellbeing, while secondary outcomes encompass fear of falling, and disease-specific symptoms. In addition, selected centers assess neurophysiological adaptations using electroencephalography and magnetic resonance imaging to explore underlying neural mechanisms. By integrating diverse movement demands and emphasizing both externally cued and self-initiated motor activity, NeuroDance represents a conceptual advance beyond single-style dance interventions. This study protocol provides the methodological framework for evaluating the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of NeuroDance in people with Parkinson’s disease and will inform future controlled trials and implementation strategies. Study protocol registration https://drks.de/search/en/trial/DRKS00038241/details .

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 2026 · DOI ↗