Effect of Senior Dance (DanSE) on Fall Risk Factors in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background. Older people's participation in structured exercise programs to improve balance and mobility is low. Senior Dance is an alternative option, as it may provide a safe and fun way of targeting balance. Objective. The aim was to investigate the effect of Senior Dance on balance, mobility, and cognitive function compared with a control intervention. Design. The study was a randomized controlled trial. Setting/Patients. Eighty-two community-dwelling older people aged 60 years or over and cognitively intact were recruited in Brazil. Intervention. Participants were randomly allocated to 2 groups: Dance plus education (intervention group) and education alone (control group). The Senior Dance program consisted of 12 weeks of twice-weekly group-based dance classes. Participants in both groups attended a single 1-hour educational session on prevention of falls. Measurements. The primary outcome was single-leg stance with eyes closed. Secondary outcomes were timed sit-to-stand test, standing balance test, timed 4-m walk, and cognitive function tests, for example, Trail Making Test and Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Results. Of the 82 participants randomized, 71 (87%) completed the 12-week follow-up. Single-leg stance with eyes closed (primary outcome) improved in the Senior Dance group (mean difference [MD] = 2.3 seconds, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1 to 3.6) compared with the control group at follow-up. Senior Dance group performed better in the standing balance tests (MD = 37 seconds, 95% CI = 0.6 to 6.8) and were faster in the sit-to-stand test (MD = - 3.1 seconds, 95% CI = -4.8 to -1.4) and 4-m walk test (MD = -0.6 seconds, 95% CI = -1.0 to -0.1). There were no significant between-group differences for cognitive function tests. Limitations. Participants and therapists were not blinded. Conclusion. Senior Dance was effective in improving balance and mobility but not cognitive function in community-dwelling older people.
Demographic projections show that the number of people aged over 65 years is expected to triple in the next 30 years worldwide. (1) This aging phenomenon poses significant challenges as [...]