Rainbow T H Ho1,2, Ted C T Fong1,2, Wai Chi Chan3, Joseph S K Kwan4, Patrick K C Chiu4, Joshua C Y Yau1, Linda C W Lam5. 1. Centre on Behavioral Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. 2. Department of Social Work & Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. 3. Department of Psychiatry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. 4. Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. 5. Department of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Dementia interferes with older adults' functioning in cognitive, daily, psychosocial, and neuroendocrine domains. The present study examined the psychophysiological effects of dance movement therapy (DMT) and physical exercise for older adults with dementia. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial recruited 204 older adults diagnosed with mild dementia into the DMT, exercise, or waitlist control group. Both DMT and exercise interventions had similar intensity and comprised 24 hr of intervention that spanned over 12 weeks. All participants completed self-report questionnaires on psychosocial well-being, daily functioning, neurocognitive assessments, and salivary cortisol measures at baseline and 3 follow-up measurements more than 1 year. RESULTS: The DMT group showed significant decreases in depression, loneliness, and negative mood (d = 0.33-0.42, p < .05) and improved daily functioning (d = 0.40, p < .01) and diurnal cortisol slope (d = 0.30, p < .01). The effects on daily functioning and cortisol slope remained at 1-year follow-up. The exercise group of matched intensity showed no significant effects on the outcomes. DISCUSSION: The study findings support the potential utility of DMT as a multifaceted intervention for improving various aspects of functioning in older adults with declining cognitive abilities. The lack of beneficial effects for our exercise intervention and long-term DMT effects highlights the need to maintain persistent levels of exercise with adequate intensity and duration.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVES:Dementia interferes with older adults' functioning in cognitive, daily, psychosocial, and neuroendocrine domains. The present study examined the psychophysiological effects of dance movement therapy (DMT) and physical exercise for older adults with dementia. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial recruited 204 older adults diagnosed with mild dementia into the DMT, exercise, or waitlist control group. Both DMT and exercise interventions had similar intensity and comprised 24 hr of intervention that spanned over 12 weeks. All participants completed self-report questionnaires on psychosocial well-being, daily functioning, neurocognitive assessments, and salivary cortisol measures at baseline and 3 follow-up measurements more than 1 year. RESULTS: The DMT group showed significant decreases in depression, loneliness, and negative mood (d = 0.33-0.42, p < .05) and improved daily functioning (d = 0.40, p < .01) and diurnal cortisol slope (d = 0.30, p < .01). The effects on daily functioning and cortisol slope remained at 1-year follow-up. The exercise group of matched intensity showed no significant effects on the outcomes. DISCUSSION: The study findings support the potential utility of DMT as a multifaceted intervention for improving various aspects of functioning in older adults with declining cognitive abilities. The lack of beneficial effects for our exercise intervention and long-term DMT effects highlights the need to maintain persistent levels of exercise with adequate intensity and duration.
Authors: Kai-Ling Ou; Ming Yu Claudia Wong; Pak Kwong Chung; Kei Yee Katie Chui Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-05-19 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: Rainbow T H Ho; Ted C T Fong; Joshua C Y Yau; Wai Chi Chan; Joseph S K Kwan; Patrick K C Chiu; Linda C W Lam Journal: Front Aging Neurosci Date: 2020-02-21 Impact factor: 5.750
Authors: Hanna Lu; Sandra Sau Man Chan; Wai Chi Chan; Cuichan Lin; Calvin Pak Wing Cheng; Lam Linda Chiu Wa Journal: Ann Clin Transl Neurol Date: 2019-09-17 Impact factor: 4.511