title: Effects of dance therapy on the selected hematological and rheological indicators in older women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of dance therapy on selected hematological and rheological indicators in older women.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 30 women (aged 71.8±7.4), and the control group comprised of 10 women of corresponding age. Women from the experimental group were subjected to a five-month dance therapy program (three 45-minute sessions per week); women from the control group were not involved in any regular physical activity. Blood samples from all the women were examined for hematological, rheological, and biochemical parameters prior to the study and five months thereafter.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The dance therapy program was reflected by a significant improvement of erythrocyte count and hematocrit. Furthermore, the dance therapy resulted in a significant increase in the plasma viscosity, while no significant changes in glucose and fibrinogen levels were noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dance therapy modulates selected hematological parameters of older women; it leads to increase in erythrocyte count and hematocrit level. Dance therapy is reflected by higher plasma viscosity. Concentrations of fibrinogen and glucose are not affected by the dance therapy in older women, suggesting maintenance of homeostasis. Those findings advocate implementation of dance therapy programs in older women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Physical Education, Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Filar-Mierzwa
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Rehabilitation, University of Physical Education, Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marchewka
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Physical Education, Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: Aneta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bac
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Physical Education, Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kulis
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Rehabilitation, University of Physical Education, Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: Zbigniew
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Dąbrowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Rehabilitation, University of Physical Education, Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: Aneta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Teległów
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D001809:Blood Viscosity / Q000502:physiology*; D003614:Dance Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D018056:Hemorheology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans
keywords: Ageing; dance therapy; hematology; hemorheology; plasma viscosity