Effects Of Dance Intervention On Frail Older Adults

Frailty,an emerging geriatric syndrome,increases the risk of many adverse outcomes including death,falls,disability.According to the American College of Sports Medicine(ACSM,2013),aerobic exercise and mental and physical exercise are suitable exercises for frail older adults.Interestingly,dance is classified as a moderate aerobic exercise,which is beneficial to the overall mental and physical health of older adults.Variety is intrinsic to dance,and can vary from folk to ballroom dancing.Moreover,dance can be performed in a relaxed and pleasant environment,which appeals to older adults.To our knowledge,there has not been a study to examine the effects of dance intervention on frailty.Objective:The aims of this study were to examine the effects of dance intervention on frailty,depression,cognitive function and quality of life in pre-frail and frail older persons and pinpoint a novel and effective exercise program that prevent and reduce frailty.Methods:We conducted a quasi-experimental using two-group of dance interventions amongst older adults living in a nursing home from October 2018 to2019.Participants allocated to the dance group(N=33)attended 40 min dance sessions in a nursing home,three times a week for12-weeks.Each session included 5-min warm up exercises,30-min square dancing,and 5-min cool-down exercises.The warm-up exercises consisted of finger gymnastics,simple stretching,and joint movements.The cool-down exercise consisted of deep breathing and stretching of the major muscle groups.Participants allocated to the control group(N=33)maintained their normal daily activities.Assessments were conducted at baseline,6 weeks,and 12 weeks by researchers blinded to the allocation.Assessments were conducted at baseline,6 weeks,and 12 weeks by Fried criteria,15-item version of the Geriatric Depression Scales(GDS-15),Mini Mental States Examination(MMSE),the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey(SF-12).T-tests,Mantel-Haenszel tests and X~2 tests were performed to compare the baseline characteristics between the dance group and control group.Generalized estimating equations(GEE),mixed effects models and the paired samples t-test was used to examine the effects of frailty,depression,cognition,and quality of life.Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS22.0.Results:1.socio-demographic variables included age,gender,weight,height,marital status,education level,pension income,chronic disease.No significant differences in the socio-demographic variables were observed across the groups(p>0.05).No significant differences in the frailty status,five frailty criteria,GDS,MMSE and SF-12 were observed across the groups(p>0.05).2.The prevalence of frailty(P=0.002)and mean frailty scores(p<0.001)decreased over time in the dance group compared to the control group.Significant difference in the mean frailty scores between the two groups at baseline to 6 weeks(P<0.001),6 weeks to 12weeks(P=0.001).Compared to the control group,the prevalence of slowness(p=0.002),weakness(p=0.005),and low physical activity(p<0.001)significantly decreased in the dance group.3.The results of the mixed effects model showed that the mean scores of GDS decreased over time in the dance group compared to the control group.Significant difference in the mean scores of GDS between the two groups at baseline to 6 weeks(P=0.001),6 weeks to 12weeks(P=0.027).The results of within-group analysis in dance group showed that compared with the baseline,the mean scores of GDS decreased at 6 weeks(P=0.001)and 12 weeks(P<0.001).4.The results of the mixed effects model showed that no significant difference in the mean scores of MMSE(p=0.069)between the two groups.The results of within-group analysis in dance group showed that compared with the baseline,the mean scores of MMSE increased at 12 weeks(P=0.009).5.The results of the mixed effects model showed that the mean scores of MCS(p<0.001)and PCS(p<0.001)increased over time in the dance group compared to the control group.Significant difference in the mean scores of PCS between the two groups at baseline to 6weeks(P<0.001).Significant difference in the mean scores of MCS between the two groups at baseline to 6 weeks(P<0.001),6 weeks to 12 weeks(P<0.001).The results of within-group analysis in dance group showed that compared with the baseline,the mean scores of MCS and PCS increased at 6 weeks and 12 weeks(P<0.05).6.No serious adverse events related to the dance intervention occurred.The mean adherence rates were 76%in the dance group.Conclusions:1.Dance intervention may reduce the presence and severity of frailty in older adults.Slowness,weakness,and low physical activity improve following 12 weeks of dance intervention.2.Dance movement can reduce depression,and improve the physical and mental health of the quality of life.Dance movement has a tendency to improve the cognitive function of frail older adults.3.Dance is a popular recreational activity and suitable for frail older adults in China.