The effectiveness of dance movement interventions for older adults with mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia: A systematic scoping review and meta-analysis

Dan Tao; Roger Awan-Scully; Garrett I Ash; Zhong Pei; Yaodong Gu; Yang Gao; Alistair Cole; Julien S Baker

doi:10.1016/j.arr.2023.102120

The effectiveness of dance movement interventions for older adults with mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia: A systematic scoping review and meta-analysis

Ageing Res Rev. 2023 Dec:92:102120. doi: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102120. Epub 2023 Nov 8.

Authors

Dan Tao¹, Roger Awan-Scully², Garrett I Ash³, Zhong Pei⁴, Yaodong Gu⁵, Yang Gao⁶, Alistair Cole², Julien S Baker⁷

Affiliations

¹ Department of Government and International Studies, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong 999077, Hong Kong. Electronic address: 21483132@life.hkbu.edu.hk.
² Department of Government and International Studies, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong 999077, Hong Kong.
³ Section of General Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Center for Pain, Research, Informatics, Medical Comorbidities and Education Center (PRIME), VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT 06510, USA.
⁴ Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
⁵ Faculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315010, China; Research Academy of Medicine Combining Sports, Ningbo No.2 Hospital, Ningbo 315010, China.
⁶ Department of Sports, Physical Education and Health, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong 999077, Hong Kong.
⁷ Faculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315010, China; Research Academy of Medicine Combining Sports, Ningbo No.2 Hospital, Ningbo 315010, China; Department of Sports, Physical Education and Health, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong 999077, Hong Kong.

PMID: 37944706
DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102120

Abstract

Objectives: To synthesize evidence and summarize research findings related to the effectiveness and feasibility of dance movement intervention (DMI) in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and dementia; to systemically map existing research gaps and research directions for future practice.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted using six electronic databases: Web of Science, PubMed, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for Randomized Trials (RoB 2) and The Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I).

Results: 29 dance intervention studies (13 RCT studies) were included in the scoping review: 62% of MCI, 10% of AD, and 28% of dementia; a total of 1708 participants (Female=1247; Male=461) aged from 63.8 ( ± 5.24) to 85.8 ( ± 5.27) years old. Eight RCT studies were included in the meta-analysis; results indicated that dance interventions had a significant effect on global cognition, memory, balance, and significantly decreased depression. No significant effects were found for executive function.

Conclusions: Dance is a non-pharmacological, effective, affordable, and engaging intervention that can be used as a complementary treatment for older adults with MCI, AD, and dementia.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease (AD); Cognitive function; Dance movement intervention (DMI); Dementia; Mild cognitive impairment (MCI); Quality of life.

Publication types

Meta-Analysis
Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Aged
Alzheimer Disease* / drug therapy
Cognition
Cognitive Dysfunction* / therapy
Dancing*
Executive Function
Female
Humans
Male