Effects of a Community Dance Programme on Physical, Cognitive, and Psychosocial Health in Older Adults with Mild Frailty A Randomized Trial Comparing One vs. Two Weekly Dance Sessions Over 12 Weeks

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying the effects of a Community Dance Programme CDP on the physical, cognitive, and psychological health of pre-frail and mildly frail older adults living in the community. This study aims to understand whether attending two dance sessions per week, compared to one session, can lead to greater improvements in physical strength, cognitive function, and psychosocial well-being. The trial uses a cluster-randomized design with co-design and process evaluation involving older adults, staff, and instructors to tailor the dance program to participant needs. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group attending two 75-minute dance sessions per week or an active control group attending one 60-minute session per week. Both groups will participate in the 12-week program held at Active Ageing Centres, supported by instructional dance videos to encourage practice outside of sessions. The dance curriculum increases in complexity and intensity over time and follows guidelines from the World Health Organization for moderate intensity exercise. Participants will visit the centres at the start and end of the 12-week period for data collection. They will wear fitness trackers during sessions to monitor heart rate and ensure exercise intensity. Assessments will measure physical performance, frailty, cognitive function, psychosocial health, and quality of life using validated scales and questionnaires. Researchers will evaluate changes from baseline to the end of the program to determine the dose-response effects of the dance intervention.

Dose-response Effect of Community Dance Programme