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GERAS DANcing for Cognition and Exercise (DANCE) is a therapeutic mind-body program for older adults (aged 60+) developed with rehabilitation and geriatric medicine expertise at the GERAS Centre for Aging Research at Hamilton Health Sciences and McMaster University. This study will examine if a virtual dance program is feasible for older adults and if dancing at home can benefit mind-body health, self-confidence, and mood.
GERAS DANCE fulfills an urgent need in our community to provide tailored evidence-based programming to help improve the health of older adults and was adapted for virtual implementation. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) aims to measure (1) the feasibility of virtual GERAS DANCE in older adults to inform a large full-scale study, and (2) the potential effects of virtual GERAS DANCE on mobility, balance self-efficacy, cognition, frailty, and mood in older adults. This study will utilize a single-center, prospective, parallel-group randomized controlled feasibility approach. This RCT will involve 48 older adults using a person-centered and coordinated model of care embedded into existing community health partnerships. Participants will be randomized to receive 6-weeks of virtual GERAS DANCE or usual care. All participants randomized to usual care will receive the dance intervention after study completion for equal opportunity to participate in the virtual GERAS DANCE program. The progressive GERAS DANCE curricula will be delivered virtually for 1-hr class twice weekly by a certified GERAS DANCE instructor. GERAS DANCE curricula include gradual increases in cognitive load and are based on motor learning principles of the ABCs of movement Agility, Balance, and Coordination. The ABCs of movement is essential to quickly and efficiently change the body position with balance and coordination. Assessments of mobility, balance self-efficacy, cognition, frailty, and mood will occur at baseline and 6-weeks.
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Control Group | No Intervention | During the study. participants in the control group will not receive the virtual GERAS DANCE intervention. However, they will receive the virtual GERAS DANCE intervention following study completion for equal opportunity to participate in the program. | |
| Virtual GERAS DANCE Group | Experimental | Virtual GERAS DANCE will be delivered for 1-hr twice weekly for 6 weeks. |
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| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual GERAS DANCE | Behavioral | Dance is a form of aerobic exercise that involves multicomponent training with physical, cognitive, and social dimensions and may have synergetic benefits when delivered in combination. GERAS DANcing for Cognition and Exercise (DANCE), a community-based rehabilitation program for older adults with cognitive decline and/or mobility impairments, has been adapted for virtual delivery through videoconferencing systems. Participants will receive twice-weekly (one hour per session) virtual dance sessions for a total of 6 weeks. |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Recruitment Rate | 5 patient/month | [Time Frame: Through study completion, an average of 10 months] |
| Retention Rate | target ≥ 70% | [Time Frame: Through study completion, an average of 10 months] |
| Data Collection completion | target ≥ 70% | [Time Frame: Through study completion, an average of 10 months] |
| Proportion of recruited patients | target ≥ 70% | [Time Frame: Through study completion, an average of 10 months] |
| Refusal Rate | target ≥ 70% | [Time Frame: Baseline, 6-weeks] |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Mobility | Assessed by the 5x Sit-to-Stand (time to complete). Faster times to complete indicate better performance. | Baseline and 6 Weeks |
| Change in Balance | Balance confidence will be assessed using the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABCs). Higher scores indicate greater balance confidence [range 0-100]. |
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Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
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| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Alexandra Papaioannou, MD, MSc | Scientific Director, GERAS Centre for Aging Research | Principal Investigator |
| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McMaster University - St. Peter's Hospital | Hamilton | Ontario | L8M1W9 | Canada |
| PubMed Identifier | Type | Citation | Retractions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42244024 | Derived | Hewston P, Marr C, Dashti A, Ioannidis G, Kennedy CC, Hladysh G, St Onge J, Marr S, Bray SR, Noseworthy M, Thabane L, Papaioannou A. Virtual GERAS DANcing for Cognition Exercise (DANCE) for older adults at home: a randomized feasibility trial. Pilot Feasibility Stud. 2026 Jun 5. doi: 10.1186/s40814-026-01851-5. Online ahead of print. |
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| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D009043 | Motor Activity |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D001519 | Behavior |
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| Baseline and 6 Weeks |
| Change in Falls Self-Efficacy | Level of concern for falling will be assessed using the Falls Efficacy Scale - International (FES-I). Higher scores indicate greater concern for falling [range 1-4]. | Baseline and 6 Weeks |
| Change in Frailty | Assessed by Fit-Frailty App. Higher scores indicate greater degree of frailty [range 0-1]. | Baseline and 6 Weeks |
| Change in Cognition | Assessed by Telephone-based Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Higher scores indicate better cognition [range 0-30]. | Baseline and 6 Weeks |
| Change in Mood | Assessed by Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) Questionnaire. Higher scores indicate greater depression [range 0-120]. | Baseline and 6 Weeks |