Impacts of technology-mediated dance on the postural balance, physical and cognitive function of community elderly

• Grant number: 21/12592-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 21, 2022
• End date: October 20, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Karina Gramani Say
• Grantee: José Emanuel Alves
• Supervisor: Anabela Gonçalves Silva
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Universidade de Aveiro (UA), Portugal
• Associated to the scholarship: 20/06566-0 - Effect of cognitive stimulation associated with physical exercises for the prevention of falls in the physical and cognitive dimensions of community elderly people with cognitive deficit, BP.IC

Abstract

Population aging is a process evidenced worldwide, in which biopsychosocial changes are noted and must be monitored in order to not promote functional damages in elderly people. Among the greatest proven needs, avoiding the occurrence of preventable disabling events is very important, such as injuries caused by fall accidents. Older Adult Falls is one of the most common health problems in developed countries, even though fall preventions are able to maintain them safe and active. As preventive measures, structured activities such as dance have proven benefits in the cognitive dimension, postural balance and mobility. Studies that investigate these benefits are highly recommended in order to avoid Older Adult falls. Experimental, supervised and blinded study. Elderly people from Portuguese nursing homes with no signs of cognitive declines and over 65 years old will be selected. A clinical intervention through structured dance movements will last 8 weeks and will be monitored by DanceMove software, dance mat and weekly calls. Participants will be evaluated by WHOQOL-Bref, EQ-5D & VAS, and UCLA-6 Loneliness Scale before and after test according to socioeconomic status, quality of life, loneliness, cognition, balance and falls. It is expected that after this intervention, participants show improvements in physical and cognitive functions, balance and quality of life, even reducing their fear of falling and the risk of falls. (AU)