Effects of Dance on Depression, Physical Function, and Disability in Underserved Adults

Abstract

This study documented the feasibility and immediate effects of a dance intervention two times per week for 12 weeks on depression, physical function, and disability in older, underserved adults. The one-group, pretest-posttest study had a convenience sample of 40 participants recruited from a federally subsidized apartment complex located in an economically depressed, inner-city neighborhood. Depression, physical function, and disability were measured at baseline and 12 weeks. Average age was 63 years (SD = 7.9), 92% were female, and 75% were African American. At baseline, participants reported increased depression (M = 20.0, SD = 12.4), decreased physical function (M = 56.6, SD = 10.9), and increased disability limitations (M = 65.7, SD = 14.9). At posttest, paired t tests showed that the dance intervention significantly decreased depression, t = 6.11, p < .001, and disability, t = -2.70, p = .014, and significantly increased physical function, t = -2.74, p = .013. The results indicate that the 12-week dance intervention may be an effective adjunct therapy to improve depression, disability, and physical function in underserved adults.

Psychometric Evaluation of the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale in Adults with Functional Limitations

“…This secondary analysis was from a feasibility study that documented the effects of a 12-week dance intervention on depression, physical function, and disability in adults with functional limitations (Murrock & Graor, 2014). To extend the evidence, it was important to establish reliability and validity of the PACES in adults with functional limitations to determine their perception of enjoyment for physical activity.…”

“…The feasibility intervention study recruited a convenience sample of residents living in a federally subsidized apartment complex located in an inner-city neighborhood in the Midwest (Murrock & Graor, 2014). Residents of the apartment complex were classified as disabled and their income was at or below 60% of the median income for the county.…”

“…The 12-week dance intervention was held in the community room in the apartment complex and taught by an African American woman. The dance routines were choreographed to secular and gospel music and many dance steps were modified to a lower intensity for those with overt physical limitations, such as pain, arthritis, or hip/knee discomfort (Murrock & Graor, 2014). At baseline, demographics, medications, and health history were chronicled; comorbidity also was measured with the Charlson Scale, which used a weighted sum of comorbid conditions that mirror the functional burden of illness conditions (Charlson, Pompei, Alex, & MacKenzie, 1987).…”

“…In the United States, many adults live with various types of functional limitations and are at a greater risk for chronic diseases and adverse health outcomes and are more physically inactive than the general population (Carroll et al, 2014). Adults with functional limitations also are at greater risk for depression (Matthews et al, 2011), which is associated with disability, decreased physical function, and physical inactivity (Murrock & Graor, 2014;Palmer, 2005). However, physical activity provides many physical and mental health benefits, including management of chronic diseases (Karingen, Dyskiv, & Furnes, 2011;Nour, Laforest, Gauvin, & Gignac, 2007), improved physical function and mobility (Baruth et al, 2011), and reduced depression (Murrock & Graor, 2014).…”

“…Adults with functional limitations also are at greater risk for depression (Matthews et al, 2011), which is associated with disability, decreased physical function, and physical inactivity (Murrock & Graor, 2014;Palmer, 2005). However, physical activity provides many physical and mental health benefits, including management of chronic diseases (Karingen, Dyskiv, & Furnes, 2011;Nour, Laforest, Gauvin, & Gignac, 2007), improved physical function and mobility (Baruth et al, 2011), and reduced depression (Murrock & Graor, 2014). Given the health benefits of physical activity, there is a need to better understand how adults with functional limitations perceive physical activity participation and its impact on their health.…”