Effects of Creative Dance and Body Percussion for Older Adults at Risk for Dementia – a Mixed-Method Experimental Design

Abstract

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is considered the transitional stage from healthy aging to Alzheimer's disease or related dementia (ADRD), and people with MCI are at high risk for ADRD. Interventions for people with MCI to prevent and delay the onset of ADRD are significant in public health. This mixed-methods study evaluated and compared the impact of Creative Dance (improvisational approach) and Body Percussion (choreographic approach) on the cognition and well-being of older adults with MCI. Methods: 20 participants with MCI were randomized into either the Creative Dance (CD) or Body Percussion (BP) group. Each group had two one-hour interventions per week for 10 weeks. Quantitative assessments on attention, memory, and creativity were done before and after the interventions in both groups. Participants completed the Positive Well-being survey before and after the 1st, 5th, 10th, 15th, and 20th classes. Qualitative methods, including focus group interviews, survey answers, and observations, were used to explore the potential mechanisms of specific dance approaches. Results: The CD group showed a significant improvement in creativity (p = .05), with greater gains compared to the BP group (p < .05). Both groups experienced a significant increase in short-term positive well-being after the 1-hour class (p < .001); however, only the BP group demonstrated significant long-term improvement over ten weeks (p < .05). Even though quantitative data did not show a statistically significant difference, mixed data showed the BP group presented a positive indication of improving attention/reaction time, visual-spatial short-term memory, physical benefits, and self-efficacy than the CD group. The CD group showed a positive indication of promoting social interaction and personal expression compared to the BP group. Qualitative results showed that self-efficacy, emotional engagement, expression, and social interactions contribute to Positive Well-being. Semi-structured improvisation in the CD group is the potential key factor to promote creativity. Remembering and repeating the movements with timing in the BP group are the potential key factors for improving attention, reaction time, and memory. A study diagram presents the mechanisms of how and why the intervention caused the primary outcomes.