Dance on: a mixed-method study into the feasibility and effectiveness of a dance programme to increase physical activity levels and wellbeing in adults and older adults

• Published in: BMC geriatrics 2023-01, Vol.23 (1), p.48-48, Article 48
• Main Authors: Britten, Laura, Pina, Ilaria, Nykjaer, Camilla, Astill, Sarah
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Balance; Cognitive ability; Community; Dance; Dancing; Data collection; Exercise; Exercise - psychology; Feasibility Studies; Female; Geriatrics; Health aspects; Health care; Humans; Intervention; Male; Medical screening; Middle Aged; Mixed methods research; Older adults; Older people; Oldest old; Physical activity; Physical fitness; Physiological aspects; Public health; Quality of life; Self Report; Statistical analysis
• ISSN: 1471-2318; 1471-2318
• DOI: 10.1186/s12877-022-03646-8

Physical activity (PA) has beneficial effects on physical and mental health outcomes in older adults. However, a consistent decline in PA participation has been noted with increasing age, with older adults consistently being reported as the least physically active population. Previous evidence showed that dance is an appropriate form of PA in older adults as it integrates the body's movement with physical, cognitive, and social elements. This study investigated the feasibility and efficacy of a weekly dance programme over a 12-month period on PA levels and wellbeing. A mixed-method intervention design was used. Community-dwelling older adults aged 55 + years were recruited from local community groups in Yorkshire (UK). The programme comprised of a 60-min mixed genre dance class per week. Changes with carried forward data in self-reported measures of PA (min/week) and wellbeing with EuroQol visual analogue scale (EQ VAS) across four different time points (baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months) were assessed using the Friedman test. Feasibility was also assessed through class attendance and focus groups (N = 6-9) with participants. A thematic analysis of qualitative data was conducted. A total of 685 participants (589-89.1% females and 72-10.9% males) took part in the study. The mean age was 75 ± 10 years, and 38% of the participants were classed as highly deprived as per the index of multiple deprivation. There was a statistically significant increase in both PA (X2(3) = 192.42, P