Dance Fitness for Stress

(WEALTH 2 Trial)

Overseen By Heather Allaway, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Louisiana State University and A&M College

Disqualifiers: Males, Students, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 13

Duration: 6 weeks

60 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this randomized controlled clinical trial is to determine the efficacy of a 6 week dance fitness intervention has on reducing objective, physiological stress in women between the ages of 30 and 60. It will also learn about its ability to improve mental and psychological health outcomes. The main questions is aims to answer is : 1) To what extent can a 6-week dance fitness intervention improve the health of women? 2) Are intervention effects sustained 4 weeks after the intervention has ended? Researchers will compare the intervention condition to a waitlist control condition. Participants will: 1) complete baseline assessments, 2) complete a six week dance fitness program or complete their usual routine for six weeks, 3) complete immediate post-intervention assessments, and 4) complete follow-up assessments four weeks after the post-intervention assessments.

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 dance fitness generally safe for humans?

Dance fitness interventions, like Latin dance and ZumBeat, have been studied in various groups, including older adults and postmenopausal women, without reports of significant safety concerns. These studies suggest that dance fitness is generally safe for humans. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does the Group-Based Dance Fitness Intervention treatment differ from other treatments for stress?

The Group-Based Dance Fitness Intervention is unique because it uses dance as a form of exercise to reduce stress by improving emotion regulation, specifically cognitive reappraisal (rethinking situations to change their emotional impact). Unlike other treatments, it focuses on the social and enjoyable aspects of dance, which can enhance motivation and adherence to the activity. ^{5 6 7 8 9}

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Group-Based Dance Fitness Intervention for stress?

Research shows that dance fitness can reduce stress levels. For example, a study found that fitness dance helped reduce stress in female Ph.D. candidates by improving their ability to manage emotions. Another review found that dancing interventions can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms in adults. ^{2 5 8 10 11}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Ryan M Hulteen, PhD

Principal Investigator

Louisiana State University A&M

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for women aged 30-60 who may be experiencing secondary depression, aviator's disease, stress, anxiety or have low physical activity levels. Participants will need to complete assessments and either join a dance fitness program or continue their usual routine.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 30 and 60 years old.

Body mass index greater than 18

Employed at Louisiana State University

Exclusion Criteria

Students at Louisiana State University

I am male.

Body mass index less than 18

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Participants complete baseline assessments before starting the intervention

1 week

Treatment

Participants attend 2 group-based, dance fitness classes per week for 6 weeks

6 weeks

12 visits (in-person)

Immediate Post-Intervention Assessment

Participants complete assessments immediately after the intervention period

1 week

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for sustained effects of the intervention 4 weeks after completion

4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Group-Based Dance Fitness Intervention

Trial Overview Researchers are testing if a 6-week group-based dance fitness program can reduce stress and improve mental health in women compared to those on a waitlist control condition. They'll check the immediate effects and changes four weeks after the intervention ends.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Dance Fitness Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will attend 2 30-minute group-based, dance fitness classes per week for 6 weeks.

Group II: Waitlist Control Group Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants in the waitlist control group will receive no intervention and perform their usual routine. These participants will be given access to dance fitness classes after all data collection has been completed.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Louisiana State University and A&M College

Lead Sponsor

Trials

12

Recruited

1,100+

Citations

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A standard ballroom and Latin dance program to improve fitness and adherence to physical activity in individuals with type 2 diabetes and in obesity. [2022]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of dancing interventions on depression symptoms, anxiety, and stress in adults without musculoskeletal disorders: An integrative review and meta-analysis. [2021]

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

Fitness Dance Counteracts Female Ph.D. Candidates' Stress by Affecting Emotion Regulation. [2023]

4. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dance therapy combined with patient education improves quality of life of persons with obesity: A pilot feasibility study for a randomised controlled trial. [2022]

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

Zumba® dance improves health in overweight/obese or type 2 diabetic women. [2022]

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

Impact of Latin Dance on Physical Activity, Cardiorespiratory Fitness, and Sedentary Behavior Among Latinos Attending an Adult Day Center. [2021]

7. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

ZumBeat: Evaluation of a Zumba Dance Intervention in Postmenopausal Overweight Women. [2020]

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

A Practice-Inspired Mindset for Researching the Psychophysiological and Medical Health Effects of Recreational Dance (Dance Sport). [2021]

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

Comparison of two exercise programs on general well-being of college students. [2006]

10. Korea (South) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Effects of dance exercise on exercise intention and exercise-related affect of postmenopausal women]. [2019]

11. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physiological and perceptual responses to Latin partnered social dance. [2022]