None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
We propose to test if simultaneous engagement in activity that is multi-dimensional and synergetic in nature, such as dance, can prevent cognitive declines in old age. Dance is a complex sensorimotor activity combined with cognitive, social and affective dimensions. We offer to compare the executive functioning, working memory and processing speed of 126 older adults (aged 60 years and older), with or without mild cognitive declines, who will be randomised to participate in either 9 months, 2 weekly sessions of 1) ballroom dancing or 2) group walking program, as a functional uni-dimensional accessible and most popular form of exercise. Second we will compare changes in fitness levels between the groups and whether cognitive benefits can be attributed to improve in fitness. Last, the experience and the satisfaction from the two programs will be evaluated using qualitative and quantitative methods.
Interventions
Arm 1 intervention - ballroom dancing twice weekly for 1 hour over 9 months. A collection of dances such as Rock and Roll, Foxtrot, Waltz and some Latin (Salsa and Rumba) will be taught in the course. A common principle is that each dance can be taught at various levels of complexity (eg. Foxtrot: Basic steps, Promenade, Rock Turn, and Sway). The program will be held in a dance studio or community hall. Intensity levels during dance classes will be measured by accelerometers and the Perceived Ph
Arm 1 intervention - ballroom dancing twice weekly for 1 hour over 9 months. A collection of dances such as Rock and Roll, Foxtrot, Waltz and some Latin (Salsa and Rumba) will be taught in the course. A common principle is that each dance can be taught at various levels of complexity (eg. Foxtrot: Basic steps, Promenade, Rock Turn, and Sway). The program will be held in a dance studio or community hall. Intensity levels during dance classes will be measured by accelerometers and the Perceived Physical Effort scale (PPE). The program will be standardised across all studios and will be delivered by accredited dance Instructors who will attend three 1-hour workshops, at start and two 3-month apart led by the program coordinator. In the workshops teachers will receive the program resources for the next two months (CDs and workbook, raise problems encountered in previous stage and discuss class progress).
Sponsors
Associate Professor Dafna Merom
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Prevention
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
60 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Participants must be >60 years of age, be able to walk unaided for at least 50 meters. Participants must also have GP clearance if they suffer from unstable chronic condition limiting their participation in regular exercise (e.g. unstable ischemic heart condition, hypertension, Parkinson's Disease, debilitating arthritis)
Exclusion criteria
Participants should have not practiced dance in the past year. Participants should not have significant cognitive impairment determined by less than 21 points on the TICS, which is the telephone modification of the Mini-Mental Cognitive Status Examination (MMSE; equivalent to 24).
Outcome results
None listed