Effects of dance on postural control, functionality and occurrence of falls in community-dwelling elderly: a randomized controlled blinded clinical trial

• Grant number: 19/25159-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): September 01, 2020
• Effective date (End): August 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Melise Jacon Peres Ueno
• Grantee: Gabriela Martins Scudilio
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The aging process can affect functional capacity and postural balance in the elderly, increasing the incidence of falls. Despite the possible benefits of dance for functionality and balance in the elderly, further studies that include the various aspects of postural control are needed to prove the effectiveness of dance as a therapeutic resource in the physical/functional rehabilitation and prevention of falls in the elderly. The aim of this study will be to evaluate how regular dance practice interferes with postural control, functionality and the occurrence of falls in old age 108 community older adults of both sexes will be randomized into two groups: dance group (DG, n = 54) who will participate in the dance intervention twice a week for 12 weeks and control group (CG, n = 54) that will not perform any intervention during the 12 weeks. Participants in both groups will do an initial evaluation, re-evaluation after 12 weeks, and at the end of 24 weeks after the first evaluation, a follow-up reevaluation. These assessments will be composed of anthropometric data (weight, height, BMI), cognitive test (10-CS), handgrip strength assessment using a hand dynamometer, postural control using BES Test and functionality using SPPB (Short Physical Performance Battery). Also, after the first 12 weeks, all participants (DG and CG) will be contacted monthly by phone to check for falls until the follow-up reevaluation. For statistical analysis, the comparison between control and dance groups will be performed for each phase (baseline and revaluation) through general linear model with adjustment for potentially confounding variables. Also, as recommended by CONSORT and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center, the intention-to-treat method will be performed. The software used will be SPSS version 17 and a significance level of 5% (p <0.05) will be adopted.