Elsevier

Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics

Volume 48, Issue 1, January–February 2009, Pages 84-88
Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics

A randomized controlled trial of Turkish folklore dance on the physical performance, balance, depression and quality of life in older women

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2007.10.008Get rights and content

Abstract

The present study has been carried out to investigate the effects of group-based Turkish folkloric dances on physical performance, balance, depression and quality of life (QoL) in 40 healthy adult elderly females over the age of 65 years. Subjects were randomly allocated into Group 1 (folkloric dance-based exercise) and Group 2 (control). A 8-week dance-based exercise program was performed. Outcome measures included a 20-m walk test, a 6-min walk test, stair climbing and chair rise time, Berg balance scale (BBS), the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) 36-item short form health survey (SF-36), and geriatric depression scale (GDS) questionnaires. In Group 1 statistically significant improvements were found in most of the physical performance tests, BBS and some SF-36 subscales after the exercise (p < 0.05). In the Group 2 there was no clinically significant change in the variables. Comparing the groups, significant improvements in favor of Group 1 have emerged in most of the functional performance tests, in some of the SF-36 subscales and BBS score (p < 0.05). We achieved improvements in physical performance, balance and QoL in elderly females. Application of folkloric dance specific to countries as an exercise program for elderly people may be helpful.

Introduction

Advances of medicine resulted in an increase of life expectancy and consequent increase in the proportion of elderly people (Grant et al., 2002, Robertson et al., 2002, Moreland et al., 2004). The definition of health for the older individuals is, in general, the maintenance of functional independence until death. Therefore, the goal of exercise interventions for older persons who have already lost functional reserves is to increase their reserve capacities, thereby maintaining the performance of daily activities (King et al., 2002).

Falls and unstable balance rank high among serious clinical problems faced by the older individuals. Fall prevention has been an area of active research over the past 10–15 years. A number of programs (e.g., assessment, risk factor reduction, exercise, environmental modification and education) have been tested, and recent meta-analyses have documented the effectiveness of several approaches (Rubenstein, 2006). Exercise programs can clearly improve strength, endurance and body mechanics, and several controlled trials have shown significant reduction in falls (Rubenstein, 2006). Thus, older adults have been targeted as a part of the population being in need of specific encouragement to engage in physical activity (Grant et al., 2002). A variety of exercise possibilities exists for the aging population. The mode of exercise should be acceptable for the target population, i.e., the participants should find the activity enjoyable and also be able to participate regularly. It may be necessary to show that exercise prescription is effective in improving fitness levels (Grant et al., 2002). Still however, there is no consensus on the appropriate quantity, quality, or intensity of exercise that is necessary to promote better health and function in this population (Vincent et al., 2002). Moreover, it may be difficult to initiate and maintain the habit of regular exercise after a certain age in a group of people not used to doing exercise during their young adulthood.

It has been thought that dance-based exercise approach could make the exercise more interesting (Judge, 2003). However, there are only a few studies on this matter. Some studies are related to a program known as aerobic dance (Shimamoto et al., 1998, Shigematsu et al., 2002). Dance-based aerobic exercises have been claimed to have an effect on balance and locomotion/agility (Shigematsu et al., 2002). There are no objective data in the literature on the efficacy among elderly people of social dance programs, one of the recreational activities in our society. On the other hand, the need to carry out research on the effects of social dances on balance, mood, social and physical functions and falls has been emphasized (Judge, 2003).

The present study has been carried out to investigate the effects of group-based Turkish folkloric dances on physical performance, balance, depression and QoL in elderly females.

Section snippets

Subjects

We assessed 53 subjects for eligibility. Forty healthy adult volunteers over the age of 65 years participated in this study. Volunteers were recruited among those who responded to advertisements in outpatient clinics. Subjects were randomly allocated into one of two groups: Group 1 (folkloric dance-based exercise) and Group 2 (control). Nineteen subjects in Group 1 and 18 subjects in Group 2 completed the study protocol.

Subjects of Group 1 were taken into Turkish folkloric dance exercise

Results

Thirty-seven subjects had completed the study. The dropouts were due to changes in address or deterioration in personal or a family member's health.

Demographic details of both groups are presented in Table 1. When the exercise groups were compared to each other at start, no statistically significant differences were found in the demographic characteristics, except the marital status. With regard to the frequency of falls, there was a statistically significant difference before and after the

Discussion

Improvements in physical performance, balance and certain scales of QoL have been observed in elderly females with a group exercise program prepared in the form of Turkish folkloric dance. Improvements have been observed in almost all of the functional variables in our group and these improvements were significantly in favor of the exercise group. Functional improvement is critical in the old age group with regard to the ability to maintain daily activities independently. In a study on the

Conclusion

Improvements of the physical performance, balance and QoL of the elderly population are among the principal objectives of independent life. Adaptation of country-specific folkloric dances into exercise programs for elderly people may be helpful in achieving this goal. With the present study, we achieved improvements in physical performance, balance and QoL in elderly females with Turkish folkloric dance-based exercise program. Hopefully, future studies will confirm the findings of the present

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