Physical Benefits in Dancers with Spinal Cord Injury Participating in Six Week Mixed Ability Latin Dance Class Bonny Masters MD

Our Goal We examined the physical and psychological benefits in persons with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) after participation in a community based, mixed ability social dance class. Dance instruction was in Rumba, Salsa, and Tango.

Study Design We monitored attendance and participation in mixed ability social dance class including salsa, tango and rumba for 4 hours weekly for 6 weeks. There were 3 sites in the Bay Area where participants could join class. (Oakland, Palo Alto, and San Jose)

Study Design American Dancewheels Foundation’s Wheel One® curriculum was used to teach American style ballroom patterns adapted to the specific needs of individual dancers. Standing dancers were paired with wheelchair based dancers: all men were trained as leaders and women as followers regardless of who was in a wheelchair.

Participants Age Paraplegia5F/2M Tetraplegia6F/2M Mean duration of injury14.0 years +8.2 Wheelchairs power/manual5P/10M

Results Variable Pre (Mean ± SD) 6 weeks Post (Mean ± SD)P Value Weight (lbs.)148.7 ± ±43.5p<0.001 Resting pain3.1 ± ±2.1p=0.037

Range of Motion in degrees VariablePre (Mean ± SD) 6 weeks Post (Mean ± SD)P Value R sh flexion 142.3± ± 14.2p=0.004 R sh extension70.5 ± ± 10.5p=0.003 R sh IR53.5 ± ± 25.6p<0.001 R sh ER92.8 ± ± 11.8p<0.001 L sh flexion147.3 ± ± 10.8p=0.011 L sh abduction150.1 ± ± 13.1p<0.001 L sh extension68 ± ± 4.7p<0.001 L sh IR54.1 ± ± 22.p<0.001 L sh ER92.4 ± ± 13.6p<0.001

Strength in Kg VariablePre (Mean ± SD) 6 weeks Post (Mean ± SD)P Value R sh flexion7.5 ± ± 4.1p=0.007 R sh abduction6.9 ± ± 4p=0.003 R sh IR12.8 ± ± 7.1p=0.001 R sh ER9.3 ± ± 4.9p=0.003 R Elb Flex14.9 ± ± 6.7p=0.001 R elb ext 9.4 ± ± 6.2p=0.005 L sh flexion7.3 ± ± 4.4p=0.002 L sh abduction7.5 ± ± 4p<0.001 L sh IR12.6 ± ± 7.5p=0.007 L sh ER10.1 ± ± 5.5p<0.001 L elb flex15.5 ± ± 6.9p=0.003 L elb ext9.9 ± ± 6.7p=0.007 Trunk flexion7.7 ± ± 4p=0.007 Trunk R lateral7 ± ± 3.3p=0.008

Function Variable Pre (Mean ± SD) 6 weeks Post (Mean ± SD)P Value Reaction time (ms)330.3± ± 71.5p=0.037 WC skill test10± ± 3.1p= min distance (ft)2035.9± ± 505.4p=0.012 PCI-coordination7.5± ± 1.6p=0.002

Community Integration Outcome Measure Mean Pre InterventionMean Post InterventionP-Value CRIS P=0.034

Adherence Surprising 93.3 ±7.8% attendance rate.

Conclusion These findings support the efficacy of mixed ability Latin dance as an intervention that likely improves overall health and quality of life of SCI patients.

Decrease in weight of both manual and power wheelchair users is encouraging given the clinical challenge of weight loss in this population.

So many potential benefits Improvements in: pain perception weight loss active ROM Coordination Social dance may provide a fun, safe, and socially engaging form of exercise with measurable benefits, allowing participation of nearly all abilities.

Difficulty in studying dance as intervention Dancers cannot be blinded. Dependence on willingness to participate. Cognitive ability to learn new information. Different modes of wheelchair control. Limited to schedule of provided dance class.

Other outcomes worth consideration of further study include spasticity, sleep, bowel program time, long term change in functional independence, mood and quality of life.

Let’s Dance!