danceSing Care Evaluation: Testing the Effectiveness

Digital Music and Movement Resources to Increase Mental and Physical Well-being in Older Adults in Care Homes: a Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial.

This pilot randomised controlled trial aims to compare the effectiveness of a 12-week music and movement intervention in older adults in care homes compared to a waitlist control group.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Do salivary cortisol and DHEAS levels improve after the intervention, compared to the waitlist control group?
• Do feelings of anxiety and depression improve after the intervention, compared to the waitlist control group?
• Does the quality of life improve after the intervention, compared to the waitlist control group?
• Does physical function improve after the intervention, compared to the waitlist control group?

Participants will engage in music and movement sessions three times per week for 12 weeks. Researchers will compare the intervention group to the waitlist control group to see if any effects occur.

Inclusion Criteria:

• residents in care homes ≥ 65 years,
• able to complete 12 weeks of a movement and music program,
• having the capacity to give informed consent as assessed by care staff and confirmed in discussion about the project with the research team using the British Psychological Society capacity checklist

Exclusion Criteria:

• currently taking part in any other clinical trial which could potentially have an impact upon or influence the findings of the current study,
• pre-existing conditions or concurrent diagnoses which would profoundly impact their capacity to undergo the intervention, even once adaptations have been made,
• inability to adequately understand written/spoken English to participate in the measures and intervention (e.g., due to cognitive or sensory impairment).