University of Southern California Choreographic Institute Line Dance Study
Condition: Quality of Life
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      This study will include dance protocols for targeted therapeutic interventions measuring the
      effect of line dancing on cognitive, emotional and social well-being. The hypothesis is that
      participating in a one-hour line dance class once a week for twelve weeks will decrease
      stress levels and enhance participants' quality of life, as measured by interview survey
      questionnaires. Questionnaires will be administered at the beginning, mid-point, and end of
      the study. The objectives of the study are threefold: to quantify the beneficial effects of
      line dancing on quality of life including cognitive, emotional and social well-being; to
      identify how non-lifetime, amateur dance practitioners can benefit from dancing; and to
      demystify dance class and make it accessible to people who are not interested in learning a
      specific dance technique or concert/art dance. Line dancing is a cross-cultural,
      intergenerational activity that could fill this role.
    

Detailed description: 
      Synchronous movement to music (dance) is an essential aspect of human experience. Groups of
      people historically engage in dance in social situations where bonding is important. For
      example, dance is a common activity at parties, weddings, funerals, and other ritualistic or
      religious ceremonies.

      In line or party dances, dancers learn through wireless transmission or simple synchrony. By
      mimicking the leader's movements in time with the music, the group learns the dance and
      experiences the same dyadic relationship as children experience learning with a parent.
      Although it is taking place in a group setting the dyadic relationship is no less intimate or
      mysterious. The wireless transmission creates a non-verbal bond based on trust. The group
      trusts that the leader is going to share information that is going to be fun and psychically
      nourishing. The leader tends to the group with care and confidence, instilling in the group a
      sense of security and calm.

      This study will include dance protocols for targeted therapeutic interventions measuring the
      effect of line dancing on cognitive, emotional and social well-being. The hypothesis is that
      participating in a one-hour line dance class once a week for twelve weeks will decrease
      stress levels and enhance participants' quality of life, as measured by interview survey
      questionnaires. Questionnaires will be administered at the beginning, mid-point, and end of
      the study. The objectives of the study are threefold: to quantify the beneficial effects of
      line dancing on quality of life including cognitive, emotional and social well-being; to
      identify how non-lifetime, amateur dance practitioners can benefit from dancing; and to
      demystify dance class and make it accessible to people who are not interested in learning a
      specific dance technique or concert/art dance. Line dancing is a cross-cultural,
      intergenerational activity that could fill this role.

      This twelve-week line dance course takes place at the Ahmanson Senior Center at the Expo
      Center adjacent to University of Southern California University Park Campus. Nineteen senior
      citizen participants have agreed to participate.
    

Intervention name(s): Line Dance Class
Intervention type(s): Other
Intervention description(s): Line or party dances to be taught will include:
Electric Slide (Mainland USA)Hukilau (Hawaii)Cupid Shuffle (Mainland USA)Poco Poco (Philippines)Cha Cha Slide (Mainland USA)Tush Push (Mainland USA)Trojan Crawl (Mainland USA)Wobble (Mainland USA)Goyang Maumere (Indonesia)
Observational model: Cohort
Time perspective: Retrospective
Sampling method: Non-Probability Sample
Study population: 
        Members of the Ahmanson Senior Center
      
Keywords: Dance