A recent study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research shows that Parkinson’s patients who took months of dance classes experienced a reduction in depression symptoms. Brain scans revealed changes in brain areas related to mood regulation.

In the study, 23 Parkinson’s patients participated in eight months of weekly dance classes through the Sharing Dance Parkinson’s program at Canada’s National Ballet School. Classes progressed from basic footwork to more complex choreographed dances.

Parkinson’s disease, caused by the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells, leads to motor symptoms and often depression or anxiety. Up to half of all Parkinson’s patients experience depression. The study found that dance not only reduced depression but also altered brain activity in areas linked to emotional regulation.

Researchers suggest dance offers a double benefit: music activates the brain’s reward system, while movement engages sensory and motor circuits. While dance doesn’t cure Parkinson’s, it can improve quality of life for both patients and their families.