Effect of Senior Dance (DanSE) on Fall Risk Factors in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Issue 4 (3rd January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Franco, Marcia R; Sherrington, Catherine; Tiedemann, Anne; Pereira, Leani S; Perracini, Monica R; Faria, Claudia S G; Negrão-Filho, Ruben F; Pinto, Rafael Z; Pastre, Carlos M
• Is Part Of: Physical therapy. Volume 100:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: 600
• Page End: 608
• Publication Date: 2020-01-03
• Subjects: Aging -- Dance -- Accidental Falls -- Balance; Physical therapy -- Periodicals; Physical therapy; Physical Therapy Modalities; Rehabilitation; Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine; Periodicals; 615.8205
• DOI: 10.1093/ptj/pzz187
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0031-9023

Abstract

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.