Ballet Science Blog

March is Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Month. Can ballet help improve balance and coordination in people with MS?

In this video, former professional ballerina and biomechanics researcher Caroline Simpkins, PhD, explores a fascinating 2018 study investigating how a targeted ballet training program may help reduce ataxia and improve balance in individuals with mild to moderate MS.

Multiple sclerosis affects the central nervous system, often impairing coordination, balance, and walking ability. Researchers wanted to explore whether the structured movement patterns of classical ballet could help retrain motor control and improve neurological function.

In this video you’ll learn:

• What multiple sclerosis is and how it affects movement
• Why dance (and especially ballet) may benefit neurological conditions
• How researchers designed a 16-week targeted ballet rehabilitation program
• How motion capture technology was used to measure movement changes
• The surprising improvements in balance, coordination, and gait smoothness

This research highlights how ballet can be more than an art form… it may also serve as a powerful tool for rehabilitation and neurological training. Whether you’re a dancer, teacher, researcher, or someone interested in the science of movement, this video explores how dance and neuroscience intersect in unexpected ways.