Rhythm experience and Africana culture trial (REACT!): A culturally salient intervention to promote neurocognitive health, mood, and well-being in older African Americans

Abstract

The Rhythm Experience and Africana Culture Trial (REACT!) is a multi-site randomized controlled intervention study designed to examine the efficacy of using African Dance as a form of moderate-intensity physical activity to improve cognitive function in older African Americans. African Americans are almost two times more likely than Caucasians to experience cognitive impairment in late adulthood. This increased risk may be attributed to lower level and quality of education, lower socioeconomic status, and higher prevalence of vascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, all of which are recognized as risk factors for dementia. Fortunately, interventions targeting cardiovascular health (i.e., physical activity) are associated with improved neurocognitive function and a reduced risk for dementia, so African Americans may be particularly suited for interventions targeting cardiovascular health and cognitive function. Here, we describe a randomized intervention protocol for increasing physical activity in older (65–75 years) African Americans. Participants (n = 80) at two study locations will be randomized into one of two groups. The treatment group will participate in African Dance three times per week for six months and the control group will receive educational training on Africana history and culture, as well as information about health behaviors, three times per week for six months. If successful, the REACT! study may transform community interventions and serve as a platform and model for testing other populations, age groups, and health outcomes, potentially identifying novel and creative methods for reducing or eliminating health disparities.

Development of a physical literacy model for older adults – a consensus process by the collaborative working group on physical literacy for older Canadians

“…In addition, Stewart et al, [ 65 ] highlighted the need for community physical-activity-promotion programs to be integrated into settings that have the infrastructure, culturally competent staff, access to exercise specialists, and experience in providing outreach and delivering the program to diverse populations. Culturally appropriate interventions have shown mixed results as to their advantage compared to standard interventions; however, most studies are limited due to small target populations, short follow-up, and methodological problems [ 66 ].Yet, they signal the importance of expanding frameworks for practice to be consistent with the reality of diverse community contexts and individuals engaging in pluralistic options and hybrid approaches of PA [ 67 ].…”

Weight‐Loss Outcomes from a Pilot Study of African Dance in Older African Americans

“…This was a small to moderate sized effect (partial Eta Squared = .31). Pairwise t- tests revealed that this interaction was driven by a significant decrease in weight for the Dance group, t ( 12 ) = 2.38, p =.03, and a marginal increase in weight for the Culture Education group, t ( 10 ) = −2.22, p = .05. The mean weight for each group, at each time point are shown in Table 2 .…”

“…After completion of the baseline sessions, participants were randomly assigned to either the African Dance (experimental) or Culture Education (control) group. All classes took place at a local community center located proximally to several predominately African American neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, PA. As with the baseline sessions, the specifics of the Dance and Education intervention groups have been described previously ( 12 ). However, the general structure of each group’s activities are summarized briefly below.…”

Pilot of a Tailored Dance Intervention to Support Function in People With Cognitive Impairment Residing in Long-Term Care: A Brief Report

“…People may be more motivated to participate in a dance that includes familiar steps and music ( Adam et al, 2016 ; Lukach et al, 2016 ; Shanahan et al, 2015 ). Familiar repetitive movement and music can also cue people with CI to be physically active ( Earhart, 2009 ; Lapum & Bar, 2016 ).…”

“…Familiar repetitive movement and music can also cue people with CI to be physically active ( Earhart, 2009 ; Lapum & Bar, 2016 ). The effects of interventions that use familiar music and steps, matched to participants’ social, historical, or cultural backgrounds and modified to meet their abilities, have been studied and include Salsa dance ( Abreu & Hartley, 2013 ), African dance ( Lukach et al, 2016 ), Malaysian poco-poco dance ( Adam et al, 2016 ), Irish set dance ( Shanahan et al, 2015 ), the Tango ( Hackney et al, 2015 ), and dance-based movement to traditional Korean music ( Kim et al, 2003 ).…”