Background: Engaging in physical activity contributes to healthy aging; however, adherence to exercise programs is often low among older adults. Technology-mediated dance systems, which can be used at home, and dance as a way of keeping physically active have been receiving attention as a means of not only enabling physical activity among older people but may also address key psychosocial factors that are amenable to change.
Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of technology-mediated dance interventions and their impact on psychosocial factors in older adults (aged 65 or older).
Methods: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials from January 2000 to February 2017 using key search terms. Two independent reviewers screened articles using predetermined selection criteria. Risk of bias of selected articles was assessed in accordance with the Cochrane guidelines.
Results: From an overall 264 articles, six articles (five studies) were found, which assessed the impact of technology-mediated dance interventions on psychosocial factors in older adults. Studies' quality ratings were low, with exception of one study that was considered of moderate quality. None of the studies considered psychosocial factors as primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes assessed fear of falling, depression, and training enjoyment, but no study showed evidence of an effective impact on these variables. The meta-analysis revealed low quality evidence that there was little or no difference above that of the comparison groups for fear of falling (standardized mean difference [SMD] -0.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.37 to 0.33; P = 0.91; five trials). Similarly, there was little or no difference on depression (SMD -0.06, 95% CI -0.59 to 0.47; P = 0.83; three trials).
Conclusion: Existing evidence to support the effectiveness of technology-mediated dance interventions and their impact on psychosocial factors in older adults is weak and with a high risk for bias. The findings of this review may inform future, more rigorous research in the area.
Keywords: Dance; Dance Dance Revolution; Depression; Enjoyment; Fear of falling; Older adults; Psychosocial; Quality of life; Randomized controlled trials; Seniors; StepMania; Technology.