title: Exploring the effects of dance-based therapy on balance and mobility in older adults.
abstract: Balance and mobility are a common concern among older adults. This pilot randomized controlled study examines the effect of dance-based therapy to increase balance and mobility in 27 participants with mean age 85 years (±7.5) from a single aging-in-place facility in the Midwest. Multidirectional reach, velocity, step length differential, and a Functional Ambulation Profile were measured before and after 18 sessions of low-impact dance-based therapy. Although a Wilcoxon rank sum test showed no significance, effect size analyses suggest that dance-based therapy was mildly or moderately effective in several components of balance and mobility. Additional research is needed with a full-scale trial.
authors: Saint Louis University, School of Nursing, MO 63104, USA. jkrampe@slu.edu
authors: Jean
authors: J
authors: Krampe
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003614:Dance Therapy; D006801:Humans; D009068:Movement; D010865:Pilot Projects; D004856:Postural Balance