A Randomized Controlled Trial to Investigate the Impact of Tango Argentino versus Tai Chi on Quality of Life in Patients with Parkinson Disease: A Short Report

Abstract

Objectives: Parkinson disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with increasing impairments in disease progression. The aim of the pilot study was to investigate the influence of Tango argentino on the quality of life of people with PD compared to Tai Chi. Design, Setting, Interventions: In the two-arm, randomized controlled pilot study, patients with PD received a 10-week Tango argentino or Tai Chi intervention (once per week, 60 min each). Main Outcome Measures: The outcome parameters were assessed at three time points (after the 1st course, after the 5th course, and after the 10th course) using standardized instruments, i.e., Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39), Brief Multidimensional Life Satisfaction Scale (BMLSS), Inner Congruence with Practices (ICPH). Results: Overall, 14 patients and their partners received Tango argentino (9 male, 5 female; mean age: 69 ± 8 years) and 15 received Tai Chi (3 male, 12 female; mean age: 69 ± 11 years). Four patients in each group were lost during the trial. No improvements were found in both groups for all outcomes. Patients in the tango group reported better emotional well-being (p = 0.039) after 10 weeks of intervention compared to the Tai Chi group. Conclusions: Further studies are needed taking into account findings from this study to improve recruitment and attrition of patients during the trial and to justify the potential implementation of Tango argentino into clinical care.