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For Improving Depression in Parkinson Disease, Dance May Be Best Nondrug Option
Dance may be the most effective nonpharmacologic intervention for easing depressive symptoms in patients with Parkinson disease, according to a systematic review and network meta-analysis published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience.
“Although two conventional meta-analyses showed that dance had no significant effect on depression, most original trials indicated a supportive effect of dance on depression compared to no intervention or treatment as usual,” wrote a research team from China. “In addition, our study demonstrated that dance was the best nonpharmacological intervention based on its high SUCRA [surface under the cumulative ranking curve] value (82.3%).”
Using data from 62 studies involving 3050 participants, the network meta-analysis compared and ranked 35 nonpharmacological interventions for patients with Parkinson disease.
Most of the interventions had nonsignificant effects on depression, researchers reported. However, SUCRA values indicated that dance, followed by LSVT-BIG therapy (77.4%) and cognitive behavioral therapy (73.6%), were the most effective options.
“LSVT-BIG therapy is a type of exercise model that focuses on training of amplitude together with sustained attention and perception of a single movement during exercise,” researchers explained, “thus enabling patients to participate physically and mentally in functional activities with great sustainability.”
While better quality trials with larger sample sizes are needed, findings from the network meta-analysis may prove helpful in the meantime, researchers noted.
“The results of this study could provide evidence and a reference to health care providers and clinicians when choosing effective interventions to improve the quality of life and health status of patients with Parkinson disease,” they wrote.
Reference:
Wang Y, Sun X, Li F, Li Q, Jin Y. Efficacy of non-pharmacological interventions for depression in individuals with Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Front Aging Neurosci. Published online November 10, 2022. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2022.1050715
