Abstract
As cases of Parkinson’s Disease rise in Europe, there is an urgency to reduce its burden on those living with Parkinson’s and on health services. Whilst the search for a cure is on-going, and the use of medication is an on-going experiment for many people, the engagement with non-pharmaceutical interventions is imperative. Under this topic, the 2024 Policy Framework to Reduce the Burden of Neurodegenerative Diseases in Europe and Beyond notes the important role that non-pharmaceutical interventions play. In exploring in detail the contribution of arts practices, in particular dancing, this paper argues that they have a potentially impactful role to play as non-pharmaceutical interventions for people with Parkinson’s.
This discursive article critically engages with current research discussing what factors are important to be considered for the integration of arts practices – in particular dancing - in a successful implementation of a roadmap for better relieving the burden of Parkinson’s. Key points laid out include:
- It needs to be recognised that arts practices are heterogenous and do not have treatment goals, but do emphasise what the person brings to a process. The lack of standardisation and goals are to be embraced, rather than criticised for being difficult to measure.
- The evidence around dancing for people with Parkinson’s is not conclusive, yet largely positively framed.
- To increase understanding of what quality of life and relief of burden feels like to people with Parkinson’s - and so greater success in implementing arts practices as NPIs in a Europe-wide policy - a broader range of studies from different disciplines need to be used in researching or reviewing this area of work; researchers need to actively listen to what matters to people with Parkinson’s and be critically reflective of their own studies consequently.
- The Action Plan for non-pharmacological interventions in the Policy Framework is welcomed. Policy implementation needs to happen in consultation with dance organisations operating strategically around Europe, with people with Parkinson’s and with those who are underrepresented in Parkinson’s initiatives and dance activity.