Muscle Strength, Postural Balance, Workplace Health Promotion
Conditions
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of a structured, partner-free Jive dance training program on the physical and cognitive health of hospital employees. Healthcare workers often face high-stress environments, irregular shifts, and prolonged physical strain, which can lead to reduced muscle strength, poor body composition, and burnout. This study innovates by designing a solo Jive dance intervention to overcome traditional partnership limitations in workplace wellness programs. A single-group repeated measures design was used, recruiting 20 hospital employees for an 8-week study. The study was divided into Phase A (4 weeks of self-directed group practice) and Phase B (4 weeks of systematic Jive dance training). Comprehensive assessments were conducted at baseline, week 4, and week 8 to measure body composition, lower limb muscle strength, dynamic balance, working memory, and perceived stress.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALSystematic Solo Jive Dance Training
This intervention features an innovative, partner-free "Solo Jive" ballroom dance curriculum designed to overcome the barrier of partner limitations in traditional workplace wellness programs. Distinct from general dance activities, this program is structured into two sequential 4-week phases: a self-directed group practice phase followed by a highly systematic, supervised professional training phase. The core curriculum emphasizes continuous rhythmic tracking, agility, and fast-paced weight-shifting movements characteristic of Jive, focusing heavily on bilateral lower-limb coordination. It is tailored to address healthcare workers' occupational strains, integrating physical neuromuscular training with cognitive-motor engagement (working memory) to provide a dual-benefit intervention for adult workplace populations.
Sponsors
E-DA Hospital
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
This study utilizes a single-group repeated measures design conducted in two consecutive phases for all participants: Phase A consists of a 4-week self-directed group practice, immediately followed by Phase B, which consists of a 4-week structured and systematic Jive dance training program. Data are collected at three distinct time points: baseline (T0), week 4 (T4), and week 8 (T8) to compare the sequential effects.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Currently employed as a full-time or part-time staff member at the hospital. * Aged between 18 and 65 years. * Voluntarily willing to participate in the 8-week dance program and complete all sequential phases (Phase A and Phase B). * Mentally and physically capable of performing moderate-to-high intensity structured exercise (such as solo Jive dancing). * Able to understand the study protocols and provide written informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
* Pre-existing severe musculoskeletal injuries, severe joint degeneration, or acute pain that restricts dancing or weight-shifting movements. * Uncontrolled cardiovascular diseases (e.g., severe hypertension, arrhythmia, or unstable angina) that render high-intensity aerobic exercise unsafe. * Current pregnancy or plans to become pregnant during the 8-week intervention period. * Undergoing regular professional or competitive athletic training that could introduce significant confounding effects to the physical outcomes. * Any other medical condition, severe cognitive impairment, or physical limitation judged by the investigator to pose a safety risk during exercise or interfere with data collection.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Bilateral Lower Limb Plantar Flexion Muscle Strength | Baseline (T0), Week 4 (T4), and Week 8 (T8) | Lower limb muscle strength (specifically plantar flexion) is measured to evaluate the neuromuscular effects of the systematic Jive dance training. Measurements are taken using a digital handheld dynamometer. The recorded values are expressed in pounds (lbs) to capture quantitative changes. An increase in the measured force values from baseline indicates an improvement in lower limb muscle strength. |
Countries
Taiwan
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORYU LING HSU, Clinical Dietitian
E-Da Cancer Hospital
Outcome results
None listed