Short CommunicationWe think you can dance! A pilot randomised controlled trial of dance for nursing home residents with moderate to severe dementia
Section snippets
Design
Single site randomised controlled pilot trial
Ethics
Approval was obtained from the University of New South Wales Human Research Ethics Committee (HC13374).
Recruitment
Information and consent forms were distributed to staff, residents and family. Residents provided written informed consent when able (or verbal assent if unable) and written consent was obtained from families and staff.
Consented residents were screened for the following inclusion criteria: ≥65 years, dementia diagnosis, MMSE between 10 and 23, able
Results
1) Recruitment and retention
We recruited our target of 18 participants without difficulty. We were unable to determine how many residents were invited to participate. We re-assessed 15 (83%) at 16 weeks (one died, one was transferred, one refused), the same 15 were available for reassessment at 32 weeks.
2) Suitability of measures
There was a possible ceiling effect on the SIB, with baseline scores ranging from 75 to 94 out of a possible 100 points (mean = 85.3, SD 6.2), and the follow-up range was
Discussion
It is feasible to recruit residents with dementia to participate in dance or music programs, and attrition was 20% over 8 months. Cognitive and physical testing was feasible with this population; however a ceiling effect on the SIB and the logistical challenge of the CGIC requiring separate interviews with the resident and staff informant meant they may not be optimal tools. The SPPB appeared appropriate.
Engagement during sessions was high with most residents actively participating in most
Conflicts of interest
Prof Brodaty is a director of the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, which funded this research. There are no other conflicts of interest.
Funding
This project was funded by the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) at the University of New South Wales, Prof. Brodaty is a director of CHeBA.
Acknowledgements
Thanks to Kim Burns, Tanya Voges, Cathy Goss and the residents and staff of The Whiddon Group, Glenfield. The project was hosted by the Dementia Collaborative Research Centre Assessment and Better Care.
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