Dancing for Better Aging: Evaluating the Impact of a Dance/Movement Therapy (D/MT) Program for Older Adults

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The aim of this study is to empirically evaluate the impact of a Dance/Movement Therapy program adapted to older adults. Participants over 60 years old are enrolled in one of three groups: Dance/Movement Therapy, Aerobic Exercise or Waiting List (control group) for 12 weeks. The training groups occur 3 times a week for 1 hour each session. Physical condition, cognitive function, general health and lifestyle, and stress hormones are assessed at baseline, after 12 weeks and after 28 weeks.

Official Title
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Dancing for Better Aging: Evaluating the Impact of a Dance/Movement Therapy Program for Older Adults Through an Empirical Research Approach

Conditions
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Aging

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT)
* Other: Aerobics Exercise (AE)


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: aged 60 years and older sedentary or moderately sedentary (less than 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise per week) have not participated in another similar study in the last year have not been exposed to a dance or dance/movement therapy program in the past year are not in a wheelchair have not had surgery in the past year have not smoked in the past 5 years do not consume more than 2 glasses a day of alcohol are not in treatment for major depression Exclusion Criteria: progressive neurological disorder unstable medical conditions (unstable cardio illness in the past 6 months, cardiac or thyroid troubles or pituitary gland illness) contraindication for moderate physical activity (major orthopaedic limitations) suspicion of cognitive problems (score of 24 or less on the Mini-Mental State Examination) large uncorrected perceptual limits treatment of hormone therapy uncontrolled hearing loss

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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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT)<br> | Other: Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT)<br>* Each DMT session follows a similar structure of Opening, Warm up, Development, Cool Down and Closure. Various themes dedicated to an aging population are addressed by the supervising dance/movement therapist through movement activities and using support material (i.e., props, music). This group is provided in a group setting of maximum 10 participants at a time and occurs 3 times per week for 1 hour each session over the course of 12 weeks.<br>|
| Active Comparator: Aerobics Exercise (AE)<br> | Other: Aerobics Exercise (AE)<br>* The aerobics exercise program is composed of warm up exercises followed by cardiovascular training on a recumbent bicycle. The intensity is set and progressively increased using each participants' individualized maximal aerobic power obtained in the baseline VO2 evaluation. This program respects the recommendations made by the American College of Sports Medicine and their adaptations for aging populations. Each session is supervised by a kinesiologist with 2 participants at a time. The training occurs 3 times per week for 1 hour each session over the course of 12 weeks.<br>|
| No Intervention: Waiting List<br>This group is placed on a waiting list and asked to refrain from making any changes to their current lifestyle. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Z-score change on Cognitive Functioning | Assessment of executive functions, processing speed and memory | 0, 12 and 28 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Z-score change on Psychological Condition | SF-12 | 0, 12 and 28 weeks | 
| Z-score change on Psychological Condition | Lubbens Social Network Scale | 0, 12 and 28 weeks | 
| Z-score change on Psychological Condition | Mental Health Continuum | 0, 12 and 28 weeks | 
| Z-score change on Psychological Condition | Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile | 0, 12 and 28 weeks | 
| Z-score change on Psychological Condition | State-Trait Anxiety Inventory | 0, 12 and 28 weeks | 
| Z-score change on Psychological Condition | Depression Scale | 0, 12 and 28 weeks | 
| Z-score change on Dietary Screener Questionnaire |  | 0,12 and 28 weeks | 
| Z-score change on Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) |  | 0,12 and 28 weeks | 
| Z-score change on Brief Pain Inventory |  | 0, 12 and 28 weeks | 
| Z-score change on International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence ( ICIQ-UI) | Urinary Incontinence | 0, 12 and 28 weeks | 
| Z-score change on Physical Functioning | Timed up and go | 0,12 and 28 weeks | 
| Z-score change on Physical Functioning | 10m walk | 0,12 and 28 weeks | 
| Z-score change on Physical Functioning | Grip strength | 0,12 and 28 weeks | 
| Z-score change on Physical Condition | VO2 peak | 0, 12 and 28 weeks | 
| Z-score change on Physical Condition | Bone density scanning (DEXA) | 0, 12 and 28 weeks | 
| Z-score change on Physical Condition | BMI | 0, 12 and 28 weeks | 
| Z-score change on Physical Condition | Rockport walking aerobic fitness test | 0, 12 and 28 weeks | 
| Z-score change on Physical Condition | Anthropometric measures composite | 0,12 and 28 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Inactivity