Virtually in Synch: A Pilot Study on Affective Dimensions of Dancing with Parkinson's during COVID- 19

Ghanai, K.; Barnstaple, R. E.; DeSouza, J. F.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a degenerative neurological disorder with no known cure. While PD is primarily considered in terms of motor dysfunctions, the disease manifests with affective dimensions impacting quality of life and daily function. Music and dance have shown promise in diminishing symptoms and improving quality of life for people living with PD and can have a significant impact on non-motor symptoms including depression. Over the past 19 years, Dance for PD and affiliates have supported the development and delivery of programs around the world that provide people living with PD an opportunity to dance, where possible, accompanied by live music. The COVID-19 pandemic has made the delivery of in-person programs such as these impossible in some locations, and many previously live classes have been forced to shift to a virtual format. Our study investigates the impact of this transition on dance-based programs in an online environment that use both/either live and recorded music, with the aim of determining whether a virtual format can provide affective support or other benefits. Given the increased incidence of mental health problems and isolation associated with COVID-19, this is an urgent question whose answer can contribute to the development of better supports for this and other vulnerable populations.