Greek Traditional Dances: A Way to Support Intellectual, Psychological, and Motor Functions in Senior Citizens at Risk of Neurodegeneration

Abstract

One of the major problems that elderly people are facing is dementia. For scientist’s dementia is a medical, social and economic problem, as it has been characterized as the epidemic of the 21st century. Prevention and treatment in the initial stages of dementia are essential, and community awareness and specialization of health professionals are required, with the aim of early and valid diagnosis of the disease. Activities are recommended to the senior citizens to improve their physical and mental health. Dance has been suggested as an appropriate recreational activity for the elderly that brings functional adjustments to the various systems of the body, psychological benefits, and makes exercise to seem interesting and entertaining as it combines the performance of multiple animations with musical accompaniment. A Greek traditional dance program was performed where our sample consisted of 30 healthy elderly and 30 with Mild Cognitive Impairment – MCI. It lasted 24 weeks, two times a week for 60 min. Specific traditional dances from all over Greece were selected. The dances were of a moderate intensity at the beginning with a gradual increase in intensity, according to the age and physical abilities of the participants. The results showed a significant improvement in: attention (S4viac-Healthy: z = -3.085, p = 0.002; MCI: z = -3.695, p < 0.001, S4viti-Healthy: z = -2.800, p = 0.005; MCI: z = -3.538, p < 0.001), anxiety (Healthy: z = -2.042, p = 0.041; MCI: z = -2.168, p = 0.030), verbal fluency for MCI (Verflx: t = -2.396, df = 29, p = 0.023, Verfls: t = -3.619, df = 29, p = 0.001, Verfmo: t = -3.295, df = 29, p = 0.003) and in executive functions (FUCAS: z = –2.168, p = 0.030). Significant improvement also showed in physical condition (Arm curl– Healthy: z = –3.253, p = 0.001; MCI: z = -3.308, p = 0.001, Chair stand – Healthy: t = –3.232, df = 29, p = 0.003; MCI: t = -2.242, df = 29, p = 0.033, Back scratch– Healthy: z = -1.946, p = 0.052; MCI: z = -2.845, p = 0.004, 2 min step– Healthy: z = –2.325, p = 0.020; MCI: z = -2.625, p = 0.009, FootUpandGo– Healthy: z = -4.289, p < 0.001; MCI: z = -3.137, p = 0.002, Sit and Reach: z = -3.082, p = 0.002, Balance on One leg: z = -3.301, p = 0.001) and Quality of life (Healthy: z = -1.937, p = 0.053; MCI: z = -2.130, p = 0.033). This study proves that dancing not only improves the cognitive and physical condition of the elderly but also contributes to a better quality of life.

Exergaming improves functional fitness in MCI patients. Does the APOE genotype moderate the outcome?

“…In our study, the analysis within the groups before and after the training showed that the active group improved in all the physical parameters (flexibility of low back and hamstrings, the functional capacity of individuals through the strength of the lower limbs and the dynamic balance, the speed, agility and balance during movement) under investigation, which is in line with previous studies [23] . On the contrary, the Passive group showed minor or no improvement at all.…”

A interferência da dança na mobilidade de idosos: revisão sistemática

“…A funcionalidade, entendida como a interação entre várias dimensões (biológica, individual e social), é uma área chave que pode ser afetada pelo envelhecimento, e a falta de mobilidade é a principal razão pela qual os idosos têm problemas com a funcionalidade 26 .…”

“…Frente ao trabalho apresentado, evidencia-se que a dança ritmada praticada de forma regular, têm benefícios significativos como melhora do equilíbrio, a coordenação da marcha, mobilidade, estabilidade e consequentemente reduz o risco de quedas em idosos em relação aos idosos que o praticam de forma irregular. Além de oferecer benefícios psicológicos que podem tornar o exercício mais interessante e divertido, já que inclui múltiplas tarefas e música 26 , podendo influenciar até mesmo na qualidade de vida dessas pessoas.…”

Neural Correlates of a Trance Process and Alternative States of Consciousness in a Traditional Healer

“…Our approach to this study is scaffolded on simultaneous research involving groups of experts (break-dancers, ballet dancers, choreographers) who regularly engage in music-driven behaviors, such as associated or learned movements and states. Experts have putative specialized neural circuits for behaviors related to their area of expertise that can be probed for brain–behavior relationships [ 9 ] and potentially used in training to reduce neurodegeneration [ 10 , 11 ]. These brain–behavior associations can be further elaborated through a “first-person neuroscience” approach [ 12 ], correlating brain changes with the practitioner’s subjective experience.…”