Tango Dancing for Caregivers of Alzheimer's Patients

Age: 18+

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Emory University

Disqualifiers: Non-African-American, Under 45, Over 65, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 20

Duration: 12 weeks

60 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial studies how dancing with a partner can help African American female caregivers of Alzheimer's patients by reducing stress and inflammation, improving brain function, and boosting mood. Dance therapy has been shown to improve or slow the worsening of quality of life in patients with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

Is tango dancing safe for caregivers of Alzheimer's patients?

Dance interventions, including Latin and improvisational dance, have been found to be safe and enjoyable for older adults, including those with Alzheimer's and mild cognitive impairment. Participants in these studies reported positive experiences and improvements in quality of life, with no significant safety concerns noted. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How is the Adapted Tango Dance treatment different from other treatments for Alzheimer's caregivers?

Adapted Tango Dance is unique because it combines physical movement, social interaction, and cognitive engagement, which can improve the quality of life for caregivers by reducing stress and enhancing mood, unlike traditional treatments that may focus solely on medication or support groups. ^{3 4 6 7 8}

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Adapted Tango Dance for caregivers of Alzheimer's patients?

Research shows that dance interventions can improve quality of life, balance, and social engagement for people with dementia and their caregivers. A pilot study found that dance classes increased quality of life and brain network efficiency in participants, suggesting potential benefits for caregivers as well. ^{3 4 5 9 10}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Madeleine Hackney

Principal Investigator

School Of Medicine, Emory University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for African American women aged 45-65 who are family caregivers of individuals with a 'probable AD' diagnosis from the Emory ADRC or Dr. Wharton's studies. It aims to help those at high risk for Alzheimer's disease.

Inclusion Criteria

Women family caregivers from the Emory ADRC and Dr. Wharton's studies of Alzheimer's disease (AD) caregivers

My parent was likely diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

African-American

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in either 20 improvisational, 90-minute adapted tango dance sessions or 20 educational lectures over a 12-week period

12 weeks

20 sessions (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in inflammatory biomarkers, cognition, and mood

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Adapted Tango Dance
• Educational lectures

Trial Overview The study compares the effects of adapted Tango dance sessions against educational lectures on inflammation, cognition, and mood in participants to see which method better supports their well-being.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Adapted Tango Dance Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

20 improvisational, 90-minute adapted tango dance sessions over a 12-week period.

Group II: Educational Control Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants will take part in at least 20 educational lectures offered twice per week over 12 weeks.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Emory University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,735

Recruited

2,605,000+

US Department of Veterans Affairs

Collaborator

Trials

881

Recruited

502,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The pilot study of the IMOVE trial involved 10 dyads (people with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia and their caregivers) participating in an 8-week improvisational dance intervention, which showed promising increases in quality of life and balance.

Participants attended classes 96% of the time and reported feeling socially connected, while brain imaging indicated improvements in brain network characteristics, suggesting that dance may enhance cognitive and social engagement in individuals with dementia.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Improvisational Movement to Improve Quality of Life in Older Adults With Early-Stage Dementia: A Pilot Study. Thumuluri, D., Lyday, R., Babcock, P., et al.[2022]

A 16-week dance intervention significantly improved cognitive function, particularly memory performance, in older adults with cognitive impairment, while aerobic exercise did not show similar cognitive benefits.

Both dance and aerobic exercise led to a significant reduction in neuropsychiatric symptoms, indicating that both forms of physical activity can positively impact mental health in older adults.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparison of dance and aerobic exercise on cognition and neuropsychiatric symptoms in sedentary older adults with cognitive impairment. Ayari, S., Abellard, A., Sakrani, S., et al.[2023]

An 84-year-old woman with multiple health issues, including Alzheimer's and a history of falls, participated in 24 Salsa dance therapy sessions over 12 weeks, leading to significant improvements in her balance, strength, and mobility.

After the therapy, she experienced only one fall during treatment with no injuries, and reported no falls six months later, suggesting that Salsa dance therapy may effectively reduce fall risk in older adults.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of Salsa dance on balance, gait, and fall risk in a sedentary patient with Alzheimer's dementia, multiple comorbidities, and recurrent falls. Abreu, M., Hartley, G.[2022]

In a pilot study involving 16 institutionalized older adults with Alzheimer's disease, the Biodanza intervention, which is a nonpharmacological dance movement therapy, significantly reduced agitation and neuropsychiatric behaviors.

The promising results suggest that Biodanza could be a beneficial therapeutic approach for improving the well-being of individuals with Alzheimer's, warranting further effectiveness studies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Biodanza as a Nonpharmacological Dance Movement-Based Treatment in Older People With Alzheimer's Disease: An Italian Pilot Study in 2 Tuscan Nursing Homes. Chiesi, F., Gori, E., Collini, F., et al.[2023]

Citations

1. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Improvisational Movement to Improve Quality of Life in Older Adults With Early-Stage Dementia: A Pilot Study. [2022]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility of a Latin Dance Program for Older Latinos With Mild Cognitive Impairment. [2021]

3. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparison of dance and aerobic exercise on cognition and neuropsychiatric symptoms in sedentary older adults with cognitive impairment. [2023]

4. Scotland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

We think you can dance! A pilot randomised controlled trial of dance for nursing home residents with moderate to severe dementia. [2017]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of dance interventions on the symptoms of dementia: A mixed-methods systematic review. [2023]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of Salsa dance on balance, gait, and fall risk in a sedentary patient with Alzheimer's dementia, multiple comorbidities, and recurrent falls. [2022]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Biodanza as a Nonpharmacological Dance Movement-Based Treatment in Older People With Alzheimer's Disease: An Italian Pilot Study in 2 Tuscan Nursing Homes. [2023]

8. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

PasoDoble, a Proposed Dance/Music for People With Parkinson's Disease and Their Caregivers. [2020]

9. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Rationale and Design of a Clinical Trial of Adapted Tango to Improve Negative Health Impacts in Middle Aged African-American Female Caregivers of Persons with Alzheimer's Disease (ACT Trial). [2022]

10. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Community-Based Music Therapy Support Group for People With Alzheimer's Disease and Their Caregivers: A Sustainable Partnership Model. [2023]