Thai dance exercises benefited functional mobility and fall rates among community-dwelling older individuals

Abstract

Background: With dramatic increase in the number of older individuals, special efforts have been made to promote the levels of independence and reduce fall rates among these individuals. Objective: To investigate the effects of Thai dance exercises over 6 weeks on functional mobility and fall rates in community-dwelling older individuals. Methods: Sixty-one community-dwelling older adults were interviewed and assessed for their demographics and fall data during 6 months prior to participation in the study. Then they completed the quasi-experimental Thai dance exercise program for 50 minutes[Formula: see text]day, 3 days[Formula: see text]week over 6 weeks. Their functional mobility relating to levels of independence and safety were assessed prior to training, at 3-week and 6-week training. After completing the program at 6 weeks, participants were prospectively monitored for fall data over 6 months. Results: Participants improved their functional mobility significantly after 3- and 6-week training [Formula: see text]. The number of faller individuals obviously decreased from 35% [Formula: see text] prior to training to only 8% [Formula: see text] after training [Formula: see text]. Conclusion: The current findings further extend benefits of Thai dance as an alternative musical exercise program to promote levels of independence and safety among community-dwelling older adults.

Effects of Dance Interventions on Cognition, Psycho-Behavioral Symptoms, Motor Functions, and Quality of Life in Older Adult Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

“…In the literature incorporated in our systematic review, the outcome of the TUG test measurements is described as functional mobility—a formulation of combining balance, gait, and mobility. Several studies have shown that although dance intervention improves the TUG score, it is not significant and is closely related to the duration of the intervention (Kaewjoho et al, 2020 ). The TUG test results in this study also showed that dance intervention was not significant for functional mobility improvement.…”

Group‐based exercise interventions for community‐dwelling older people in Southeast Asia: A systematic review

“…Table 2 provides an overview of the included studies. Included studies were undertaken in Thailand (n = 8), [35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42] Vietnam (n = 1), 43 Malaysia (n = 1) 44 and Singapore (n = 1). 45 Eight out of the 11 studies were randomised controlled trials, [35][36][37][40][41][42][43]45 and the remaining F I G U R E 1 PRISMA diagram for study identification and selection.…”

“…three were quasi-experimental studies. 38,39,44 Eight studies included two groups [35][36][37][40][41][42][43]45 while two studies included three 44 and four 45 groups, respectively. One study had only one group of participants with no comparison or control group.…”

“…One study had only one group of participants with no comparison or control group. 38 Table 2 provides an overview of the characteristics of intervention based on the TIDieR checklist.…”

Development of GERAS DANcing for Cognition and Exercise (DANCE): a feasibility study

“…Dance for PD was designed to build upon strengths and anticipate perceptual-motor functional limitations of those with neurological conditions, creating a fun and safe environment to celebrate the artistry and movement [ 12 ]. Dance may also improve cognitive function [ 13 ], functional mobility and independence [ 14 ], muscular strength and endurance [ 15 ], and overall quality of life [ 16 ] in older adults. Furthermore, dance may be superior to traditional exercise programs given that it is an inherently complex sensorimotor activity that combines both physical and cognitive training as a single entity [ 17 , 18 ] and added benefits of music [ 19 ].…”