Effects of Senior Dance on Risk Factors for Falls

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The efficacy of exercise programs to prevent falls among older people is well documented in the literature. However, older people's adherence to these exercise programs has been reported to be suboptimal, varying between 21% and 74%. In addition, about 45% of people aged over 60 years do not meet the minimum recommended level of physical activity. In this context, dance is a promising alternative to traditional exercise programs, as it can positively influence important risk factors for falls, such as sedentary lifestyle, balance impairments and muscle weakness. Nevertheless, a recent systematic review conducted in this area show that the lack of randomized clinical trials as well as the low methodological quality of existing studies do not allow to reach definitive conclusions on the real effects of dance on risk factors for falls. A type of dance that is becoming popular among the older population in Brazil is the Senior Dance. Senior Dance classes consist of different choreographies, which include rhythmic and simple movements with rhythmic folk songs. The concentration required to learn the choreographies challenges balance, motor coordination and cognitive function. Thus the present study is a randomized clinical trial aiming to investigate the Senior Dance effect on balance, mobility and cognitive function, compared with a control group, among older people living in the community. A total of 82 subjects will be randomly allocated into two groups. The intervention group will participate in a 12-week, twice-weekly group-based program of Senior Dance, while the control will be encouraged to maintain their current routine activities. Outcomes measures (balance, mobility and cognitive function) will be evaluated before and after the intervention by an assessor blinded to group allocation. The results of this study will assist health practitioners when prescribing intervention for the older population.

Official Title
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Effects of Senior Dance on Risk Factors for Falls in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Conditions
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Accidental Falls

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Senior Dance


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion criteria: Community-dwelling aged 60 years or over Cognitively intact (defined as a minimum score of 24 points on the Mini Mental Status Examination). Exclusion criteria: Previous stroke with severe neurological impairment Progressive neurological disease Severe visual deficiency, dizziness or vertigo for less than 3 months Inability to maintain a standing position, even with the use of a walking aid or other device Any illness that the physician considers as an exercise contra-indication (e.g. uncontrolled angina, acute coronary disease). Participants who are currently participating in regular exercise programs including strength training and balance challenge, such as supervised group exercise, Tai Chi, Yoga, or any dance activity.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 60 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Senior Dance<br>The intervention group will attend a single educational class on fall risk factors and prevention, and will participate in a 12-week, twice-weekly group-based program of Senior Dance. Each dance class will last for an hour, and the number of participants per class will range from 10 to 15. Senior Dance-certified instructors will lead the classes. The Senior Dance classes consist of different choreographies, which include rhythmic and simple movements with rhythmic folk songs. During the classes, participants can practice the movements sitting or standing, quickly or slowly, in circles, individually, in pairs or in small groups. | Behavioral: Senior Dance<br>* The Senior Dance classes consist of different choreographies, which include rhythmic and simple movements with rhythmic folk songs. During the classes, participants can practice the movements sitting or standing, quickly or slowly, in circles, individually, in pairs or in small groups. The concentration required to learn the choreographies challenges balance, motor coordination and cognitive function.<br>|
| No Intervention: Control group<br>Participants in the control group will attend the same educational class on fall risk factors and prevention that intervention group participants will receive, and will be instructed not to take part in any regular exercise programs such as supervised group exercise, Tai Chi, Yoga, or any dance activity during the study period. At the end of the study, they will be offered Senior Dance classes, twice a week, during 12 weeks. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Single-leg stance with eyes closed |  | 12 weeks after randomization | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Short Physical Performance Battery |  | 12 weeks after randomization | 
| Falls Efficacy Scale - International (FES-I) |  | 12 weeks after randomization | 
| Trail Making Test (TMT) |  | 12 weeks after randomization | 
| The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA): |  | 12 weeks after randomization | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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accidental falls, older people, dance, randomized controlled trial