Effectiveness of Dance Therapy in Stroke Patients.

Effectiveness of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation-based Dance Therapy for Patients With Chronic Stroke.

Hemiparesis following a stroke is associated with persistent deficits in postural control, balance, and social participation, especially in the chronic phase. Dance therapy, as a multisensory intervention based on movement, music, and body expression, could promote sensorimotor integration and improve postural stability, complementing conventional physiotherapy. The primary objective of this pilot study is to evaluate the effect of a therapeutic dance program on postural control in individuals with chronic hemiparesis. A secondary objective is to analyze changes in functional balance and gait, as well as subjective satisfaction with the therapy. A controlled study with two parallel groups will be conducted. Sixteen participants with chronic hemiparesis will be recruited (n=8 experimental group; n=8 control group). Both groups will receive standard physiotherapy, but the experimental group will also receive an 8-week therapeutic dance program, with one 30-minute session per week to complement their usual therapy. Pre- and post-intervention assessments will be performed. ThThe experimental group is expected to show a significantly greater improvement in posturographic and clinical parameters compared to the control group. The results could support the implementation of dance therapy as a complementary intervention in community neurorehabilitation programs.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Balance; Range of Motion, Articular; Gait Analysis; Thermography; Muscular Strength
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Dance therapy; Other: Regular physiotherapy

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 16
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Fatima Perez-Robledo, Dr.; Phone Number: 0034 619 885 479; Email: fatima_pr@usal.es

Study Locations

• Spain
  • Salamanca
    • Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain, 37008
      • University of Salamanca
      • Contact: Fatima Perez-Robledo, Dr.; Phone Number: 0034 619 885 479; Email: fatima_pr@usal.es

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Chronic hemiparesis (≥ 6 months post-stroke).
• Ability to maintain independent standing or with minimal assistance.
• Clinical stability to perform moderate physical exercise.
• Sufficient understanding to follow simple instructions.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Severe aphasia or other cognitive disorders that limit comprehension.
• Behavioral disorders that hinder group participation.
• Severe musculoskeletal disorders or concomitant neurological conditions.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Dance therapy group	Other: Dance therapy; The experimental group will participate in an 8-week therapeutic dance program, with one 30-minute session per week, as a complement to their regular physiotherapy. Each session will integrate: • Bilateral and diagonal PNF patterns adapted to the affected side of the body. • Rhythmic movement guided by moderate-tempo music. • Exercises focused on postural symmetry and weight transfer. • Explicit and implicit motor learning strategies. The rhythmic components will be selected to optimize audio-motor synchronization, while the PNF patterns will aim to maximize sensorimotor activation and proximal stability. The intervention will be adaptable and progressive according to the patient's clinical response.; Other: Regular physiotherapy; All participants, including those in the control group, will receive standard physiotherapy provided by their primary care center, focused on functional maintenance, mobility, and strengthening, without dance or rhythmic PNF components. They will receive two 40-minute sessions per week, individualized and adapted to their functional status.
Active Comparator: Conventional treatment group	Other: Regular physiotherapy; All participants, including those in the control group, will receive standard physiotherapy provided by their primary care center, focused on functional maintenance, mobility, and strengthening, without dance or rhythmic PNF components. They will receive two 40-minute sessions per week, individualized and adapted to their functional status.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Static and dynamic postural control	The oscillation of the Center of Pressure will be recorded in millimeters during the static position (Romberg test, hold the position with feet together with eyes open and eyes closed for 52 seconds) and walking at your preferred speed.	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Load distribution during gait	The percentage (%) of load on each leg will be recorded during walking at your preferred speed.	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Satisfaction with the activity	Registration will be done using an ad hoc questionnaire with questions about interest, motivation and general satisfaction with the activity, with Likert-type response items.	After completing the 8-week intervention
Adherence to treatment	The percentage of sessions attended will be recorded in relation to the total number of sessions given.	After completing the 8-week intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Salamanca
• Collaborators: INSTITUTO DE INVESTIGACION BIOMEDICA DE SALAMANCA (IBSAL)

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): May 15, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 30, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 28, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 5, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): May 11, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 11, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 5, 2026
• Last Verified: May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Stroke; Gait; Physical Therapy Modalities; Dance Therapy; Postural balance
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Cerebrovascular Disorders; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Stroke; Therapeutics; Complementary Therapies; Exercise Movement Techniques; Physical Therapy Modalities; Patient Care; Psychotherapy; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Sensory Art Therapies; Dance Therapy
• Other Study ID Numbers: NEURODANZAUSAL

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No