Effect of a Six-Month Dance Intervention on Postural Control and Fall-Related Outcomes in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Background/Objectives: Older adults with mild cognitive impairment often exhibit reduced postural control and increased fall risk. As fall-related injuries consume substantial healthcare resources, the development of fall-preventive interventions is of public health relevance. This study aims to inv...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Geriatrics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/10/3/67 |
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| author | Ulrich Thiel Nicole Halfpaap Berit K. Labott Fabian Herold Corinna Langhans Kristinn Heinrichs Patrick Müller Notger G. Müller Anita Hökelmann |
| author_facet | Ulrich Thiel Nicole Halfpaap Berit K. Labott Fabian Herold Corinna Langhans Kristinn Heinrichs Patrick Müller Notger G. Müller Anita Hökelmann |
| author_sort | Ulrich Thiel |
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| description | Background/Objectives: Older adults with mild cognitive impairment often exhibit reduced postural control and increased fall risk. As fall-related injuries consume substantial healthcare resources, the development of fall-preventive interventions is of public health relevance. This study aims to investigate the effects of a six-month dance intervention on postural control and fall-related measures in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 55 participants were allocated to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group performed two 90-min dance training sessions per week for six months, while the control group maintained their usual activities of daily living. Postural control was operationalized via balance performance, which was measured with the Sensory Organization Test and the Limits of Stability Test. Neuromuscular function of the lower extremities was assessed via muscle contraction velocity using tensiomyography. Fear of falling was quantified with the Falls Efficacy Scale, and participants reported fall history over the past year. It was hypothesized that older adults with mild cognitive impairment participating in the six-month dance training would show significantly greater improvements in postural control and fall-related outcomes than those in the control group. Results: A mixed analysis of variance (time × group) revealed no significant improvements in balance performance or neuromuscular function following the dance intervention (<i>p</i> > 0.05). However, several main effects for time were observed in the Sensory Organization Test, Limits of Stability Test, and muscle contraction velocity. Scores on the Falls Efficacy Scale improved significantly in the intervention group, reflecting reduced fear of falling, although only shown by a paired-samples <i>t</i>-test (t(23)= 2.276, <i>p</i> = 0.032, d = 0.465). Conclusions: This study did not provide evidence that a six-month dance intervention improves postural or neuromuscular functions. However, it cannot be ruled out that such null findings are related to confounding factors, such as insufficient training specificity or duration. Nonetheless, the fear of falling was significantly reduced in the intervention group, suggesting potential benefits for perceived fall risk in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1e130cd9bf674a839e03e376cd8ac822 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2308-3417 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Geriatrics |
| spelling | doaj-art-1e130cd9bf674a839e03e376cd8ac8222025-08-20T03:27:32ZengMDPI AGGeriatrics2308-34172025-05-011036710.3390/geriatrics10030067Effect of a Six-Month Dance Intervention on Postural Control and Fall-Related Outcomes in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled TrialUlrich Thiel0Nicole Halfpaap1Berit K. Labott2Fabian Herold3Corinna Langhans4Kristinn Heinrichs5Patrick Müller6Notger G. Müller7Anita Hökelmann8Department of Sport Science, Faculty of Humanities, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39104 Magdeburg, GermanyDepartment of Sport Science, Faculty of Humanities, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39104 Magdeburg, GermanyDepartment of Sport Science, Faculty of Humanities, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39104 Magdeburg, GermanyDepartment of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, GermanyDepartment of Sport Science, Faculty of Humanities, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39104 Magdeburg, GermanyBertec Corporation, Columbus, OH 43219, USADepartment of Cardiology and Angiology, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, GermanyDepartment of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, GermanyDepartment of Sport Science, Faculty of Humanities, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39104 Magdeburg, GermanyBackground/Objectives: Older adults with mild cognitive impairment often exhibit reduced postural control and increased fall risk. As fall-related injuries consume substantial healthcare resources, the development of fall-preventive interventions is of public health relevance. This study aims to investigate the effects of a six-month dance intervention on postural control and fall-related measures in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 55 participants were allocated to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group performed two 90-min dance training sessions per week for six months, while the control group maintained their usual activities of daily living. Postural control was operationalized via balance performance, which was measured with the Sensory Organization Test and the Limits of Stability Test. Neuromuscular function of the lower extremities was assessed via muscle contraction velocity using tensiomyography. Fear of falling was quantified with the Falls Efficacy Scale, and participants reported fall history over the past year. It was hypothesized that older adults with mild cognitive impairment participating in the six-month dance training would show significantly greater improvements in postural control and fall-related outcomes than those in the control group. Results: A mixed analysis of variance (time × group) revealed no significant improvements in balance performance or neuromuscular function following the dance intervention (<i>p</i> > 0.05). However, several main effects for time were observed in the Sensory Organization Test, Limits of Stability Test, and muscle contraction velocity. Scores on the Falls Efficacy Scale improved significantly in the intervention group, reflecting reduced fear of falling, although only shown by a paired-samples <i>t</i>-test (t(23)= 2.276, <i>p</i> = 0.032, d = 0.465). Conclusions: This study did not provide evidence that a six-month dance intervention improves postural or neuromuscular functions. However, it cannot be ruled out that such null findings are related to confounding factors, such as insufficient training specificity or duration. Nonetheless, the fear of falling was significantly reduced in the intervention group, suggesting potential benefits for perceived fall risk in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/10/3/67exercise therapypostural balancerehabilitationagingcognitive dysfunction |
| spellingShingle | Ulrich Thiel Nicole Halfpaap Berit K. Labott Fabian Herold Corinna Langhans Kristinn Heinrichs Patrick Müller Notger G. Müller Anita Hökelmann Effect of a Six-Month Dance Intervention on Postural Control and Fall-Related Outcomes in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial Geriatrics exercise therapy postural balance rehabilitation aging cognitive dysfunction |
| title | Effect of a Six-Month Dance Intervention on Postural Control and Fall-Related Outcomes in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial |
| title_full | Effect of a Six-Month Dance Intervention on Postural Control and Fall-Related Outcomes in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial |
| title_fullStr | Effect of a Six-Month Dance Intervention on Postural Control and Fall-Related Outcomes in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effect of a Six-Month Dance Intervention on Postural Control and Fall-Related Outcomes in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial |
| title_short | Effect of a Six-Month Dance Intervention on Postural Control and Fall-Related Outcomes in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial |
| title_sort | effect of a six month dance intervention on postural control and fall related outcomes in older adults with mild cognitive impairment a randomized controlled trial |
| topic | exercise therapy postural balance rehabilitation aging cognitive dysfunction |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/10/3/67 |
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