Analysis of IL-4 Levels, IL-1α, Cortisol Hormone, and Blood Cell Number in Parkinson’s Disease Patients Undergoing Dance-based Movement Therapy: A Preliminary Study

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Introduction The interplay between neuroinflammation and Parkinson’s disease (PD) is still unclear, although several studies suggest that neuroinflammation plays an important role in the pathophysiological pathways of neurodegenerative disorders. Dance-based movement therapy has been studied as an adjuvant treatment for PD symptoms by modulating some inflammatory interleukins and improving the overall effect of pharmacological treatments. Objective To evaluate the levels of Interleukin 4, Interleukin 1α, cortisol hormone, and blood cell total numbers in PD subjects undergoing dance-based movement therapy. Methods Twenty-five participants were selected for this study. Seventeen subjects diagnosed with PD were divided into two groups: PD group (n=8) and PD+dance group (n=9). Another group was composed of age-matched healthy controls (n=8). The dance-based movement therapy was performed twice a week for 50-60 minutes/session over six months. Results The serum IL-4 levels were significantly lower in the PD group when compared to the healthy group, while the PD+Dance group showed similar levels to the healthy group. The levels of IL-1α, cortisol, and blood cell count showed no statistical differences between groups. Conclusion Our results suggest that regular practice of dance-based movement therapy may induce a neuroprotective effect by modulating the levels of IL-4 in people with PD similarly to healthy participants. Trial registration The study was registered in the Brazilian registry of clinical trials: RBR-3bhbrb5.

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