MS Ballroom Fitness® was developed by Elisabeth Dalsgaard in 2020 in collaboration with the Danish Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Multiple Sclerosis Hospital in Haslev.

Since 2013, Elisabeth has been working with 'Dance for Health' and has, among other things, developed the award-winning concept Parkinson Ballroom Fitness®. Therefore, it was natural to also develop a dance concept for people with multiple sclerosis. Unlike Parkinson Ballroom Fitness®, MS Ballroom Fitness® incorporates slightly more youthful music and dance, and the lessons are divided into three levels based on participants' physical starting points.

The instruction is tailored to ensure that everyone can participate, regardless of their level.

• Seated: we sit down and dance

• Standing supported: we dance with support (possibly a walker)

• Standing free: we dance freely around

Through dances like salsa, merengue, bachata, funk, waltz, and jive, participants train functions such as walking, balance, strength, and cognitive skills while gaining plenty of joy and energy through training to music.

In the fall of 2023, the effectiveness of MS Ballroom Fitness® is being examined through a scientific research project in collaboration with Aarhus University Hospital and senior researcher Lars Hviid. The research project has been approved by the Ethics Council and is conducted with an associated control group. Preliminary results are very promising.

"Dance is exercise, but it doesn't feel like exercise. Suddenly, you're a dancer instead of a patient.

Dance can be performed alone or with a loved one. Through dance, one discovers joy in exercise while achieving plenty of physical activity, benefiting both the patient and the loved one. The instruction is always tailored, allowing each dancer to participate at their own level.

Dance is like medicine but without any side effects -what's not to like?