An interventional study of Riabilitango® Tango-based program and Motor Reconditioning in Parkinson's Disease (PD), sponsored by University of Foggia. Completed at 1 site in Italy. Open to participants aged 50 Years to 80 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-07-30.
Sponsored by University of Foggia · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
The purpose of this clinical research is to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured Tango-based (Riabilitango®) therapy compared to a conventional Motor Reconditioning program and a Control group in individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. The study assesses changes in motor performance, balance, gait kinematics, functional strenght, and health-related quality of life over a 3-month intervention period and a 3-month post-intervention follow-up.
Parkinson's disease is characterized by motor deficits affecting gait, postural control, and dynamic balance. This study compares two exercise-based rehabilitation approaches against a control group:
Riabilitango® (Tango Therapy): Supervised group sessions (2 times/week, 60 minutes/session for 3 months) focusing on balance, trunk mobility, rhythm-synchronised walking, and adapted Argentine tango figures.
Motor Reconditioning: Supervised small-group sessions (2 times/week, 60 minutes/session for 3 months) including cycling warm-up, progressive treadmill walking (60-70% max heart rate), upper/lower-limb functional training, and stretching exercises.
Control Group: Follows usual care without participating in the structured rehabilitation interventions during the study period.
Comprehensive clinical, functional, and biomechanical evaluations are conducted at baseline, monthly during the 3-month intervention period, and at a 3-month post-intervention follow-up (6 months total observation period).
Exclusion Criteria:
Participants receive a structured tango-based rehabilitation programme (Riabilitango®) delivered by a qualified tango instructor. The intervention lasts 3 months, attending 2 supervised 60-minute sessions per week in group format (approx. 10 participants). The sessions focus on ankle/foot warm-up, balance and stick exercises for trunk mobility, rhythm-synchronised walking, and adapted Argentine tango figures.
Other: Riabilitango® Tango-based program
Participants undergo a conventional motor reconditioning programme supervised by a qualified kinesiologist. The intervention lasts 3 months, with 2 supervised 60-minute sessions per week in small groups (2-3 participants). The program includes stationary cycling, progressive treadmill walking, functional strength training, postural transitions, and stretching exercises.
Other: Motor Reconditioning
Participants assigned to the control group do not participate in any structured exercise or rehabilitation intervention during the 3-month study period. They maintain their routine medical care and daily habits.
Supervised group tango therapy incorporating warm-up exercises, trunk mobility routines, rhythm-synchronised walking, partner activities, and progressive adapted tango patterns tailored for individuals with Parkinson's disease.
Supervised motor reconditioning including a cycling warm-up, progressive treadmill walking at 60-70% of age-predicted maximal heart rate, functional upper-limb exercises, and stretching routines.
Change in Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) Part III Motor Examination Score
The UPDRS Part III evaluates motor function in individuals with Parkinson's disease, including speech, facial expression, tremor, rigidity, finger taps, hand movements, gait, posture, and bradykinesia. Scores range from 0 to 56, with higher scores indicating greater motor impairment.
Time frame: Baseline, Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, and 3-month post-intervention follow-up (Month 6)
Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test Time
Time in seconds taken by the participant to stand up from a chair, walk 3 meters, turn around, walk back, and sit down. Shorter completion times indicate better functional mobility.
Time frame: Baseline, Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, and 3-month post-intervention follow-up (Month 6)
Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) Distance
Total distance walked in meters during 6 minutes. Higher values indicate better functional walking endurance.
Time frame: Baseline, Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, and 3-month post-intervention follow-up (Month 6)
Handgrip Strength
Maximum isometric handgrip force measured using a digital dynamometer. Higher values indicate greater upper-limb muscle strength.
Time frame: Baseline, Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, and 3-month post-intervention follow-up (Month 6)
Sit-and-Reach Test Distance
Lower back and hamstring flexibility evaluated via the Sit-and-Reach test. Higher values indicate better flexibility.
Time frame: Baseline, Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, and 3-month post-intervention follow-up (Month 6)
Back Scratch Test Distance
Shoulder and upper body flexibility evaluated via the Back Scratch test. Higher values (or less negative values) indicate better shoulder flexibility.
Time frame: Baseline, Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, and 3-month post-intervention follow-up (Month 6)
Gait Speed
Walking speed evaluated during treadmill locomotion using the Walker View system. Higher values indicate better walking capacity.
Time frame: Baseline, Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, and 3-month post-intervention follow-up (Month 6)
Step Length
Average step length during treadmill locomotion evaluated using the Walker View system. Higher values indicate longer step length.
Time frame: Baseline, Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, and 3-month post-intervention follow-up (Month 6)
Vertical Displacement During Gait
Vertical movement of the body center of mass during gait, evaluated using the Walker View treadmill system.
Time frame: Baseline, Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, and 3-month post-intervention follow-up (Month 6)
Postural Alignment During Gait
Trunk alignment and posture during treadmill walking evaluated using the Walker View system.
Time frame: Baseline, Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, and 3-month post-intervention follow-up (Month 6)
Postural Sway Area
Total ellipse area of postural sway during quiet standing with eyes open and closed, evaluated using the ProKin stabilometric platform. Lower values indicate better postural stability.
Time frame: Baseline, Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, and 3-month post-intervention follow-up (Month 6)
Center of Pressure Displacement Length
Total trajectory length of the Center of Pressure (CoP) evaluated using the ProKin stabilometric platform under eyes open and closed conditions. Lower values indicate better static postural control.
Time frame: Baseline, Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, and 3-month post-intervention follow-up (Month 6)
Pelvic Proprioceptive Balance
Dynamic pelvic proprioceptive control evaluated using the ProKin dynamic platform. Higher percentage scores indicate better proprioceptive stability.
Time frame: Baseline, Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, and 3-month post-intervention follow-up (Month 6)
Supine Postural Asymmetries
Evaluation of body alignment asymmetries in a supine position using the Postural Bench system. Lower angular values indicate greater postural symmetry.
Time frame: Baseline, Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, and 3-month post-intervention follow-up (Month 6)
39-Item Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39) Summary Index
Assessed using the 39-Item Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39). The Summary Index ranges from 0% to 100%, where lower percentage scores represent better quality of life and lower disease burden.
Time frame: Baseline, Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, and 3-month post-intervention follow-up (Month 6)
36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) Total Score
Assessed using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Total scores range from 0 to 100, where higher scores indicate better perceived health status and overall quality of life.
Time frame: Baseline, Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, and 3-month post-intervention follow-up (Month 6)
Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale Score
Assessed using the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale. Total raw scores range from 20 to 80, where higher scores indicate greater severity of depressive symptoms.
Time frame: Baseline, Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, and 3-month post-intervention follow-up (Month 6)
Plan to share: Yes — De-identified individual participant data collected during the study will be available upon reasonable request to researchers who provide a methodologically sound proposal.
Supporting information: Study protocol, Sap, Icf
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