[The effects of a Korean traditional dance movement program in elderly women].
OBJECTIVE
This study was aimed to identify the effects of a 12 week Korean traditional dance movement program on balance, depression, medical cost, medical institution's utilization and fall among elderly women.


METHODS
Using a quasi-experimental design, the experimental group was composed of 130 subjects and the control group was composed of 123 subjects. The experimental group participated in a 12 week Korean traditional dance movement program 3 times a week from December 2002 to February 2003. Data was analyzed with descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, paired t-test and t-test.


RESULTS
There was significant improvement in balance (right leg p=.000, left leg p=.004), depression (p=.000), and the medical institution's utilization (p=.001) and fall (p=.002) in the experimental group compared to the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
A Korean traditional dance movement program improved balance, depression, and decreased fall and medical cost in elderly women. Therefore, we recommend this program be utilized as a health promoting program and falls preventing program for the elderly in the community.
Jeon
Mi-Yang
MY
Keukdong College, Buk-Do, Korea. myjeon68@hanmail.net
Bark
Eun-Suk
ES
Lee
Eun-Gyeong
EG
Im
Jeong-Sun
JS
Jeong
Bok-Seon
BS
Choe
Eun-Sun
ES
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003614:Dance Therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance