The Benefits of Ballroom Dance for Older Adults: Improving Mood, Cognitive Functioning, and Social Isolatio

Background: Researchers have demonstrated that older adults are at risk for depression, cognitive decline, and social isolation. Additionally, it has been projected the population of adults 50 years or older will reach 132 million by the year 2030. Identifying means to ameliorate or prevent depression, cognitive decline, and social isolation among older adults is a crucial and worthwhile endeavor. Objective: The present study sought to investigate the potential emotional, cognitive, and social benefits of participation in a weekly ballroom dance program among older adults within the community. Method: I recruited a sample of 15 community-dwelling older adults (≥50 years of age) from among people who had registered for a ballroom dance training program in their communities. I assessed each participant's symptoms of depression (Beck Depression Inventory -- Second Edition), affective state (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule), cognitive functioning (Montreal Cognitive Assessment; Trail Making Test Parts A & B), and experience of social isolation (UCLA Loneliness Scale) before and after participation in a ballroom dance program. Results: Compared to scores at the beginning of the ballroom dance program, participants evidenced significant improvement following ballroom dance participation on measures of global cognitive functioning (Montreal Cognitive Assessment; p = .007), and executive functioning (Trail Making Test Part B; p = .026). Participants' scores on measures of emotional and social functioning did not significantly differ after ballroom dance participation. Conclusions: The results from the present study suggest that participation in a weekly ballroom dance program may benefit older adults in terms of cognitive functioning. Future directions for research pertaining to the benefits of ballroom dance for older adults are discussed.