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Frontiers in Psychology 2019Dance is an embodied activity and, when applied therapeutically, can have several specific and unspecific health benefits. In this meta-analysis, we evaluated the...
Dance is an embodied activity and, when applied therapeutically, can have several specific and unspecific health benefits. In this meta-analysis, we evaluated the effectiveness of dance movement therapy(DMT) and dance interventions for psychological health outcomes. Research in this area grew considerably from 1.3 detected studies/year in 1996-2012 to 6.8 detected studies/year in 2012-2018. We synthesized 41 controlled intervention studies ( = 2,374; from 01/2012 to 03/2018), 21 from DMT, and 20 from dance, investigating the outcome clusters of quality of life, clinical outcomes (with sub-analyses of depression and anxiety), interpersonal skills, cognitive skills, and (psycho-)motor skills. We included recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in areas such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, autism, elderly patients, oncology, neurology, chronic heart failure, and cardiovascular disease, including follow-up data in eight studies. Analyses yielded a medium overall effect ( = 0.60), with high heterogeneity of results ( = 72.62%). Sorted by outcome clusters, the effects were medium to large ( = 0.53 to = 0.85). All effects, except the one for (psycho-)motor skills, showed high inconsistency of results. Sensitivity analyses revealed that (DMT or dance) was a significant moderator of results. In the , the overall medium effect was small, significant, and homogeneous/consistent ( = 0.30, < 0.001, = 3.47). In the , the overall medium effect was large, significant, yet heterogeneous/non-consistent ( = 0.81, < 0.001, = 77.96). Results suggest that DMT decreases depression and anxiety and increases quality of life and interpersonal and cognitive skills, whereas dance interventions increase (psycho-)motor skills. Larger effect sizes resulted from observational measures, possibly indicating bias. Follow-up data showed that on 22 weeks after the intervention, most effects remained stable or slightly increased. Consistent effects of DMT coincide with findings from former meta-analyses. Most dance intervention studies came from preventive contexts and most DMT studies came from institutional healthcare contexts with more severely impaired clinical patients, where we found smaller effects, yet with higher clinical relevance. Methodological shortcomings of many included studies and heterogeneity of outcome measures limit results. Initial findings on long-term effects are promising.
PubMed: 31481910
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01806 -
Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy... Jan 2019Impaired gait, balance, and motor function are common in Parkinson disease (PD) and may lead to falls and injuries. Different forms of exercise improve motor function in... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Impaired gait, balance, and motor function are common in Parkinson disease (PD) and may lead to falls and injuries. Different forms of exercise improve motor function in persons with PD, but determining which form of exercise is most effective requires a direct comparison of various approaches. In this prospective, controlled trial, we evaluated the impact of tango, treadmill walking, and stretching on gait, balance, motor function, and quality of life. We hypothesized tango and treadmill would improve forward walking and motor symptom severity, and tango would also improve backward walking, balance, and quality of life.
METHODS
Ninety-six participants (age: 67.2 ± 8.9 years, 42% female) with mild to moderate idiopathic PD were serially assigned to tango, treadmill walking, or stretching (active control group) and attended 1-hour classes twice weekly for 12 weeks. Assessments occurred OFF anti-PD medication before and after the intervention and at follow-up 12 weeks after the intervention.
RESULTS
Forward velocity and backward velocity improved for the treadmill group from baseline to posttest and improvements persisted at follow-up. Backward velocity and motor functioning improved for the stretching group from baseline to posttest, but results did not persist at follow-up. There were no significant changes in the tango group across time points.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS
Contrary to our hypotheses, only treadmill improved forward walking, while backward walking improved with treadmill and stretching. Future research should examine combinations of exercises with a focus on optimizing dosing and examining whether specific characteristics of people with PD correlate with different types of exercise.Video Abstract available for more insights from the authors (see Video, Supplemental Digital Content 1, available at: http://links.lww.com/JNPT/A237).
Topics: Aged; Dance Therapy; Exercise Therapy; Female; Gait Disorders, Neurologic; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle Stretching Exercises; Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; Parkinson Disease; Postural Balance; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life; Walking
PubMed: 30531383
DOI: 10.1097/NPT.0000000000000245 -
Complementary Therapies in Medicine Oct 2018Previous studies in Parkinson's Disease (PD) have described benefits of dance for motor and non-motor outcomes, yet few studies specifically look at Dance Therapy (DT)... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Previous studies in Parkinson's Disease (PD) have described benefits of dance for motor and non-motor outcomes, yet few studies specifically look at Dance Therapy (DT) as a specific psychotherapeutic model for PD. DT is the psychotherapeutic use of movement to improve physical, emotional, cognitive, and social integration and wellbeing.
OBJECTIVE
1) Explore the safety and feasibility of a 10-week DT program for PD. 2) Collect pilot data on efficacy of DT.
DESIGN/METHODS
Prospective, randomized-controlled study in subjects with PD. 13 participants randomized 2:1 to DT (n = 9) or support group (n = 4). Assessments were completed 1-2 weeks prior to the first session and after the final session, and included attendance, Hoehn and Yahr Scale (H&Y), Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS), Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Timed Up and Go, Berg Balance Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Fatigue Severity Scale, Visual Analog Fatigue Scale, Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39, and an exit satisfaction survey.
RESULTS
All participants completed the study. The control group was older and had a higher mean baseline MDS-UPDRS III score (27.56 dance vs. 40.75 control) and H&Y score (2.11 dance vs. 2.50 control). 7 of 9 in DT and all control subjects attended at least 70% of classes. All participants in DT enjoyed the classes and most felt they were beneficial. The greatest improvement in motor measures was in MDS-UPDRS III (-4.12 (dance) vs. -1.75 (control)). Non-motor outcomes were explored as well.
CONCLUSIONS
DT is introduced as an enjoyable mind-body intervention for PD. Further studies powered for efficacy and with groups matched for disease severity are warranted.
Topics: Aged; Dance Therapy; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Parkinson Disease; Prospective Studies
PubMed: 30219460
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2018.07.005 -
Current Alzheimer Research 2019In recent years, several reviews have addressed the effectiveness of dance therapy in dementia, healthy older adults, or the elderly in general. However, reviews...
BACKGROUND
In recent years, several reviews have addressed the effectiveness of dance therapy in dementia, healthy older adults, or the elderly in general. However, reviews regarding the effect of this therapy exclusively on patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease have not been found.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to review the available literature describing clinical trials which explore the effects of dancing on psychological and physical outcomes, functionality, cognitive function, and quality of life in patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. In addition, this review aims to assess the quality of studies that perform dance therapy interventions in these patients.
METHODS
This study is a systematic review of randomized and non-randomized clinical trials regarding the effect of intervention including a dancing activity in people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
RESULTS
In total, the evidence for this review rests on 12 studies with a total of 349 participants. The findings of this mini-review confirm the positive effect of dance therapy on physical and cognitive function, functionality, psychological outcomes, and quality of life in people with Alzheimer's disease.
CONCLUSION
Most of the studies implementing dance as part of the therapeutic treatment has shown to improve or slow the worsening in the quality of life of patients with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers. Future research focused on these patients should use a more exhaustive methodology and make a more detailed description of these kind of interventions.
Topics: Alzheimer Disease; Caregivers; Dance Therapy; Humans; Quality of Life; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 31345149
DOI: 10.2174/1567205016666190725151614 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2022
PubMed: 35369250
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.878253 -
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Jan 2019We conducted a systematic review of randomized clinical trials to investigate whether dance practice promotes neuroplasticity. We also determined how dancing is able to...
We conducted a systematic review of randomized clinical trials to investigate whether dance practice promotes neuroplasticity. We also determined how dancing is able to alter (1) brain volumes and structures (2) brain function, (3) psychomotor adjustment and (4) levels of neurotrophic factors. This systematic review formulated a research question based on PICO, according to the guidelines for systematic reviews and meta-analyzes (PRISMA), "What is the influence of dance practice on neuroplasticity in already mature brains?" We screened 1071 studies and from these eight studies were included in the review. Of the selected studies, all demonstrated positive structural and/or functional changes. Structural changes included increased hippocampal volume, gray matter volume in the left precentral and parahippocampal gyrus, and white matter integrity. Functional changes included alterations in cognitive function such as significant improvement in memory, attention, body balance, psychosocial parameters and altered peripheral neurotrophic factor. Based on the evidence, dance practice integrates brain areas to improve neuroplasticity.
Topics: Brain; Cognitive Aging; Cognitive Dysfunction; Dance Therapy; Dancing; Humans; Neuronal Plasticity; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 30543905
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.12.010 -
International Journal of Nursing Studies Sep 2022Fatigue, sleep disturbance, and depression are frequent concurrent symptoms in patients with breast cancer. Exercise is a promising strategy for symptom management, but... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of a 16-week dance intervention on the symptom cluster of fatigue-sleep disturbance-depression and quality of life among patients with breast cancer undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy: A randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Fatigue, sleep disturbance, and depression are frequent concurrent symptoms in patients with breast cancer. Exercise is a promising strategy for symptom management, but the effect of dance as an exercise modality for managing the fatigue-sleep disturbance-depression symptom cluster has not been evaluated yet.
OBJECTIVES
This study examined the effects of a 16-week dance program on reducing symptoms and improving the quality of life of patients with breast cancer who underwent adjuvant chemotherapy.
METHODS
A prospective, assessor-blinded, two-arm randomized controlled design was used. Adult female patients with breast cancer who were scheduled for adjuvant chemotherapy were recruited from two university-affiliated hospitals in a city in northwest China. Participants in the dance group received six sessions of hospital-based dance instruction and 16 weeks of home-based practice. The dance intervention was culturally adapted for the Chinese population. The control group received general health consultation. Outcomes including fatigue, sleep disturbance, depression, and quality of life were evaluated at baseline and after the third and sixth cycles of chemotherapy. The intention-to-treat principle and a generalized estimating equation were used to analyze data.
RESULTS
A total of 279 individuals were assessed for eligibility, and 176 eligible participants were successfully recruited. The majority of the participants (n = 140, 79.6%) were diagnosed with stages I-II breast cancer and had undergone mastectomy (n = 155, 88.1%). The baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups. Participants in the intervention group reported less severe fatigue, sleep disturbance, and depression. In addition, a lower incidence of the symptom cluster (P = 0.003) and an increase in quality of life (P = 0.001) were found in the intervention group compared with the control group at week 17.
CONCLUSIONS
A culturally specific dance intervention is a promising method for managing the fatigue-sleep disturbance-depression symptom cluster and promoting the quality of life in Chinese women with breast cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. Given its acceptability and practicality, this program may be incorporated in routine cancer care.
Topics: Adult; Breast Neoplasms; Depression; Fatigue; Female; Humans; Mastectomy; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life; Sleep; Sleep Wake Disorders; Syndrome
PubMed: 35850058
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2022.104317 -
The Journals of Gerontology. Series B,... Feb 2020Dementia interferes with older adults' functioning in cognitive, daily, psychosocial, and neuroendocrine domains. The present study examined the psychophysiological... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
OBJECTIVES
Dementia interferes with older adults' functioning in cognitive, daily, psychosocial, and neuroendocrine domains. The present study examined the psychophysiological effects of dance movement therapy (DMT) and physical exercise for older adults with dementia.
METHODS
This randomized controlled trial recruited 204 older adults diagnosed with mild dementia into the DMT, exercise, or waitlist control group. Both DMT and exercise interventions had similar intensity and comprised 24 hr of intervention that spanned over 12 weeks. All participants completed self-report questionnaires on psychosocial well-being, daily functioning, neurocognitive assessments, and salivary cortisol measures at baseline and 3 follow-up measurements more than 1 year.
RESULTS
The DMT group showed significant decreases in depression, loneliness, and negative mood (d = 0.33-0.42, p < .05) and improved daily functioning (d = 0.40, p < .01) and diurnal cortisol slope (d = 0.30, p < .01). The effects on daily functioning and cortisol slope remained at 1-year follow-up. The exercise group of matched intensity showed no significant effects on the outcomes.
DISCUSSION
The study findings support the potential utility of DMT as a multifaceted intervention for improving various aspects of functioning in older adults with declining cognitive abilities. The lack of beneficial effects for our exercise intervention and long-term DMT effects highlights the need to maintain persistent levels of exercise with adequate intensity and duration.
Topics: Activities of Daily Living; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biomarkers; Cognitive Dysfunction; Dance Therapy; Dementia; Exercise Therapy; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Single-Blind Method
PubMed: 30496547
DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gby145 -
Gerontology 2019In the literature on creativity in older adults, creative activities have been found to be an effective way of adapting to age-related psychological and physical... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
In the literature on creativity in older adults, creative activities have been found to be an effective way of adapting to age-related psychological and physical changes, providing older adults with opportunities to think differently and be open to new ideas. On the other hand, physical activities play an important role in the prevention of physical decline. Thus, combining physical activity and certain creative activities, such as creative dance (CD), might help facilitate successful aging. Since the National Dance Association has expanded dance into educational and community facilities, CD programs have begun to be developed and widely used for all ages.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the effects of a CD program on fitness, functional balance, and mobility in the elderly.
METHODS
Eighty-two community-dwelling older adults were randomly allocated to either a dance group (n = 41, age = 70.5 ± 7.89 years) or a stretching group (n = 41, age = 71.77 ± 7.78 years). Over 8 weeks, these groups participated in CD and stretching training (ST) classes, respectively, which lasted for 90 min and were held 2 days a week. The CD included tasks to explore movement elements (i.e., body, space, time, force), develop their own movement, and transform feelings or inner experiences into movement. The ST included several upper- and lower-body stretching poses. The outcome measures included the Senior Fitness Test (SFT), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), and 10-Meter Walking Test (gait speed).
RESULTS
A significant group × time interaction was found for the 30-s stand and 30-s arm curl, and for the BBS, TUG, DGI, and gait speed. Post hoc paired t tests revealed significantly increased scores for the 30-s stand, 30-s arm curl, back stretching, and chair sit and reach tests, and for the TUG, BBS, TUG, DGI, and gait speed in the CD group. The 30-s arm curl and chair sit and reach test scores significantly increased in the ST group.
CONCLUSION
CD and stretching may both benefit fitness and balance for older adults; however, CD may improve dynamic balance and mobility more than stretching. Therefore, CD may be a creative physical activity that contributes to successful aging.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Creativity; Dance Therapy; Dancing; Female; Humans; Independent Living; Male; Muscle Stretching Exercises; Physical Fitness; Postural Balance; Time and Motion Studies
PubMed: 31055579
DOI: 10.1159/000499402 -
Alternative Therapies in Health and... 2015Physical inactivity is commonly observed among individuals aged ≥ 60 y. Identified barriers to sedentary older adults beginning activity include low self-efficacy,... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Physical inactivity is commonly observed among individuals aged ≥ 60 y. Identified barriers to sedentary older adults beginning activity include low self-efficacy, pre-existing medical conditions, physical limitations, time constraints, and culture. Dancing has the potential to be an attractive physical activity that can be adjusted to fit a target population's age, physical limitations, and culture.
OBJECTIVES
This review examined the benefits to physical health of dance interventions among older adults.
METHODS
Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a systematic search using the PubMed database was conducted. Eighteen studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were analyzed for type of intervention, the study's design, participants' demographics, and outcomes, including attrition.
RESULTS
The 18 articles reported on studies conducted in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. Of the styles of dancing, 6 studies used ballroom, 5 used contemporary, 4 used cultural, 1 used pop, and 2 used jazz. Two studies targeted older adults with pre-existing medical conditions. The average age of participants ranged from 52-87 y. Researchers used a variety of measures to assess effectiveness: (1) 3 of 5 (60%) that used measures to assess flexibility showed significant positive results; (2) 23 of 28 (82%) that used measures of muscular strength and endurance showed significant positive changes; (3) 8 of 9 (89%) that used measures of balance showed significant positive changes; (4) 8 of 10 (80%) that used measures of cognitive ability showed significant positive changes; and (5) the one that measured cardiovascular endurance showed significant positive changes. Only 6 studies reported participation, and they found low attrition.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that dance, regardless of its style, can significantly improve muscular strength and endurance, balance, and other aspects of functional fitness in older adults. Future researchers may want to analyze the effects of dance on mental health and explore ways to make this intervention attractive to both genders. Standardizing outcome measures for dance would facilitate meta-analysis.
Topics: Accidental Falls; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Dance Therapy; Dancing; Exercise; Female; Health Behavior; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Motor Skills; Muscle Strength; Postural Balance; Psychomotor Performance
PubMed: 26393993
DOI: No ID Found