PENNINGTON--Dr. Alexandra Landen, is a Movement Disorders Specialist and has a strong interest in Parkinson's disease. After completing her residency/ fellowship at Georgetown University Dr. Landen has been an advocate of integrating Dance into the lives of her PD patients. Parkinson's Disease is a disorder of the Central Nervous System that commonly affects movement, often including shaking tremors in the hands and limbs. PD may cause amnesia and dementia and many more troubling symptoms. In an exclusive interview with Dr. Landen www.NJnewjersey.com reporters had the opportunity to view the Dance for Parkinson's Program and spent several hours at the Capital Health Medical Center. Dr. Landen mentioned she has an Aunt living in Germany afflicted with Parkinson's Disease whom just turned eighty years old. Years ago Dr. Landen's Aunt had learned of a program integrating Dance as a therapy for her Parkinson's Disease and called her niece. Through, research, studies and video Dr. Landen observed this interesting phenomena. Dr. Landen decided immediately this would be something to pursue in her community back in America. Dr. Landen is a neurologist and has extensive experience/background in Physical Therapy and Ballroom Dance. Dr. Landen mentioned there are automatic pathways for example walking and talking but dancing and cycling are learned pathways to the brain. Music elevates mood and this concept can help PD patients with the learned pathways therefore improving mobility, mood and health. A patient can go from shaking and freezing to just moving freely. Background studies for example, tango dancing and the steady and strong beats help the patients brain as chemical change occurs. Suggested for at least once a week this program can benefit PD patients immensely. Dr. Landen mentions her concern for PD patients and trying to communicating that "we are not alone" and we are here to support. Victoria Pena-Cardinalli MSW, LCSW mentions in addition once a month we have a support group meeting and this can be very helpful in relaying the "we are not alone message". The current PD Dance Program's participants Carol Blount, Karen De Flaminis, Susan Ferrio, Marcia Brooks, Ray and Mary Jane Aklonis, Mary Trout feel this way and would love to have you join them. We have a joy for this program they mentioned after class!
- Builds confidence and improves balance
- Builds muscle strength and endurance
- Improving ability to walk and overall movement ability
- Improves quality of life
the website link below reaches out for those with Parkinsons Disease their families and care partners by providing a wealth of information and resources
https://danceforparkinsons.org
Dr. Landen
(Linda Mannheim above right)
The professional dance instructors at Capital Health are Linda Mannheim and Debra Keller highly trained through Mark Morris Dance Group Dance for PD Program in Brooklyn NY with Live Music
For more information call Capital Health Medical Center located at Two Capital Way in Pennington NJ
Ask for Victoria Pena-Cardinali
Call 609-537-7157
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