Effect of Senior Dance (DanSE) on Fall Risk Factors in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Author(s)

Franco, Marcia R. ^{[1, 2, 3]} ; Sherrington, Catherine ^[4] ; Tiedemann, Anne ^[4] ; Pereira, Leani S. ^[5] ; Perracini, Monica R. ^[6] ; Faria, Claudia S. G. ^[2] ; Negrao-Filho, Ruben F. ^[2] ; Pinto, Rafael Z. ^[5] ; Pastre, Carlos M. ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Ctr Univ UNA, Dept Phys Therapy, Belo Horizonte, MG - Brazil

^[2] Univ Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Fac Ciencias & Tecnol, Dept Phys Therapy, Presidente Prudente, SP - Brazil

^[3] Reg Publ Hosp Betim, Dept Phys Therapy, Betim, MG - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sydney, Fac Med & Hlth, Sch Publ Hlth, Inst Musculoskeletal Hlth, Sydney, NSW - Australia

^[5] Univ Fed Minas Gerais, Dept Phys Therapy, Belo Horizonte, MG - Brazil

^[6] Univ Cidade Sao Paulo UNICID, Dept Phys Therapy, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PHYSICAL THERAPY; v. 100, n. 4, p. 600-608, APR 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Background. Older people's participation in structured exercise programs to improve balance and mobility is low. Senior Dance is an alternative option, as it may provide a safe and fun way of targeting balance. Objective. The aim was to investigate the effect of Senior Dance on balance, mobility, and cognitive function compared with a control intervention. Design. The study was a randomized controlled trial. Setting/Patients. Eighty-two community-dwelling older people aged 60 years or over and cognitively intact were recruited in Brazil. Intervention. Participants were randomly allocated to 2 groups: Dance plus education (intervention group) and education alone (control group). The Senior Dance program consisted of 12 weeks of twice-weekly group-based dance classes. Participants in both groups attended a single 1-hour educational session on prevention of falls. Measurements. The primary outcome was single-leg stance with eyes closed. Secondary outcomes were timed sit-to-stand test, standing balance test, timed 4-m walk, and cognitive function tests, for example, Trail Making Test and Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Results. Of the 82 participants randomized, 71 (87%) completed the 12-week follow-up. Single-leg stance with eyes closed (primary outcome) improved in the Senior Dance group (mean difference {[}MD] = 2.3 seconds, 95% confidence interval {[}CI] = 1.1 to 3.6) compared with the control group at follow-up. Senior Dance group performed better in the standing balance tests (MD = 3.7 seconds, 95% CI = 0.6 to 6.8) and were faster in the sit-to-stand test (MD = - 3.1 seconds, 95% CI = -4.8 to -1.4) and 4-m walk test (MD = -0.6 seconds, 95% CI = -1.0 to -0.1). There were no significant between-group differences for cognitive function tests. Limitations. Participants and therapists were not blinded. Conclusion. Senior Dance was effective in improving balance and mobility but not cognitive function in community-dwelling older people. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/07704-9 - Effects of senior dance on risk factors for falls in older adults: a randomised controlled clinical trial
• Grantee: Marcia Rodrigues Franco Zambelli
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral