Tango classes in people with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS): Impact on motor and non-motor functions

Background: While music-based therapy (MBT) has been shown to improve motor and non-motor features in multiple sclerosis (MS), benefits of tango have never been assessed.

Objective: To evaluate the benefits of tango classes on quality of life (QoL), mood, fatigue, gait, balance, perception of cognitive disorder and sexuality in people with MS.

Methods: 7 participants (age 41.14 ± 14.27 years, disease duration 14.14 ± 7.6 years) and respective partners undertook one-hour weekly classes for 20 weeks. Participants had early-stage MS (EDSS<3.5). They were assessed for mood (ZUNG rating scale; Beck Depression Inventory -II); balance (Berg Balance Test; Tinetti scale), cognition (MS Neuropsychological Screening Questionnaire), SD (Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire), fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale) and QoL (36-Item Short Form Survey).

Results: Group comparison of pre-post change scores showed a general improvement in all the outcome measures, which was significant in mood, SD, cognition and QoL.

Discussions and conclusion: Tango classes provides benefits to pwMS, especially on non-motor symptoms. Follow-up assessment is required to confirm the durability of these effects.