Dance Intervention on Cognitive Functions and Quality of Life in Chronic Stroke
Condition: Cognitive Impairment; Stroke; Quality of Life
MeSH terms: Stroke; Cognitive Dysfunction
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      To examine the effect of dance interventions on cognitive functions and quality of life in
      patients with chronic stroke.
    

Detailed description: 
      Stroke is a prevalent medical condition, primarily affecting individuals aged 65 and older.
      However, it can also strike young people and even children and ranks as the second leading
      cause of non-traumatic disability and cognitive impairment among adults. Stroke can lead to a
      range of physical, sensory, and cognitive deficits and impairments in psychosocial
      functioning. One of the most significant challenges faced by stroke survivors is cognitive
      impairment. The prevalence of cognitive impairment following a stroke varies widely, ranging
      from 20% to 80%, and it is influenced by factors such as geographical location, ethnicity,
      and diagnostic criteria. Stroke can disrupt various cognitive functions, including
      information processing, memory, planning, problem-solving, spatial awareness, apraxia, motor
      control, spatial perception, confusion, denial (anosognosia), and object recognition issues
      (agnosia). The literature reports that 30% of stroke patients experience functional
      limitations related to balance, speech, and cognitive issues. Particularly, more than half of
      stroke patients over the age of 65 experience hemiparesis, and around 30% require assistance
      for walking. Chronic stroke can also lead to balance and mobility problems, affecting daily
      life activities and significantly impacting the patient's overall quality of life.

      There is a growing need for improvements in the post-stroke experience and long-term care for
      stroke patients. In this context, rehabilitation interventions play a vital role.
      Rehabilitation interventions aim to prevent complications, reduce neurological deficits,
      maximize functional capacity, and ultimately promote personal autonomy and social
      integration. Dance intervention, as part of the rehabilitation process, is recognized as an
      effective approach to addressing chronic stroke-related motor disorders, positively impacting
      post-stroke health, and promoting socialization. Dance, characterized by rhythmic body
      movements to music, serves as a form of artistic or emotional expression and can be performed
      individually, in pairs, or in groups. It is a multifaceted activity that engages both
      physical and cognitive abilities. Dance has been found to have positive effects on emotions,
      sensory stimulation, motor coordination, social interaction, perception, executive functions,
      and memory. Literature suggests that dance intervention helps to improve both the physical
      and cognitive impairments of stroke patients through promoting interpersonal harmony and
      multiple stimulations, and therefore its use is recommended to enhance the cognitive and
      physical functions of chronic stroke patients. In light of this information, this
      single-blind, randomized, controlled study aims to investigate the impact of dance
      intervention on cognitive functions and quality of life among chronic stroke patients.
    

Intervention name(s): Dance Intervention Group
Intervention type(s): Device
Intervention description(s): The dance sessions, tailored to participants' preferences, were accompanied by music from the 80s and 90s. A dance instructor demonstrated each dance step, and the sessions comprised a 10-minute warm-up, 40 minutes of dancing, and a 10-minute cool-down. The complexity and intensity of the dance routines were adjusted based on individual abilities, functional variations, and capacity.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: The sample size was determined as 36 chronic stroke patients in total (18 for each group) for the two groups (dance intervention group, control group) with an effect size of 1,000 and a targeted test power of 0.90 (90%) in the G*Power 3.1.9.6 program with an error of α=0.05 and a reference to a previous study on the subject. During the course of the research, and in anticipation of potential dropouts or patient mortality, the sample size for each group was increased, resulting in a total of 40 chronic stroke patients, with 20 patients in each group, being included in the study.
Masking: Single (Participant)
Primary purpose: Supportive Care
Keywords: Cognitive impairment; Dance; Stroke; Quality of life