Dancing the tango may benefit some patients with Parkinson's disease, a new study suggests.

Parkinson's is a progressive neurological disease, the symptoms of which include tremors, stiffness and slow movement. An estimated six to seven thousand people in Ireland are affected and there is no cure.

Canadian researchers wanted to investigate whether a social and physical activity, such as tango dancing, could provide any therapeutic value for people with Parkinson's. They looked at the impact on motor dysfunctions, such as tremors and rigidity, and non-motor symptoms, such as fatigue and depression.

The researchers monitored 40 Parkinson's patients taking part in a 12-week tango course, which was provided by two professional dance teachers.

"In the study, we found the tango was helpful in significantly improving balance and functional mobility, and seemed to encourage patients to appreciate their general course of therapy. We also found modest benefits in terms of patients' cognitive functions and in reducing fatigue," commented the researchers from McGill University.

They suggested that the tango may be beneficial when it comes to balance and mobility because it requires specific steps forwards and backwards, which could help with walking difficulties. Furthermore, the dance requires memory, attention and multitasking abilities, which could help cognitive functioning.

The researchers pointed out that many Parkinson's patients do not like traditional exercise programmes and the majority do not get enough daily exercise.

However, there is a link between music and the brain's dopamine system, which is essential for maintaining behaviour. As a result, combining exercise with music can increase a person's motivation and improve their mood, making them more likely to want to do it again.

Details of these findings are published in the journal, Complementary Therapies in Medicine.