In December 2017 researchers from Germany published the results of a study to assess the effect of karate and dance training in 37 individuals with Parkinson’s disease. 16 individuals chose the karate training, 9 the dance training, whilst 12 did neither being in a waiting control group. Each training lasted for 1 hour once a week for a period of 30 weeks. Balance and emotional well-being were measured before and after the study. Results showed that those who had undertaken either the karate or dance training had improved balance. It was also seen that the mood of those in the karate and dance groups remained the same, whereas it dropped in the waiting control group.
Dahmen-Zimmer K, Jansen P. Karate and Dance Training to Improve Balance and Stabilize Mood in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease: A Feasibility Study. Front Med (Lausanne). 2017 Dec 19;4:237.