Dance Rehabilitation for Frailty

(GERAS DANCE Trial)

Overseen By Patricia Hewston, PhD

Age: 65+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: McMaster University

Disqualifiers: Severe cardiac, Pulmonary disease, Neurological, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 27

Duration: 12 weeks

250 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine the effect of a community-based rehabilitation intervention (Cognitive Groove, Brought to you by GERAS DANCE), compared to usual care, on clinical outcomes in community-dwelling older adults living with frailty. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. In community-dwelling older adults living with frailty, is Cognitive Groove more effective than usual care in improving functional movement, physical performance and strength? 2. In community-dwelling older adults living with frailty is Cognitive Groove more effective than usual care in improving frailty status, fear of falling, balance confidence, mood, cognition, grip strength, activities of daily living, life space mobility, loneliness, and quality of life? 3. As a community-based rehabilitation intervention, is Cognitive Groove a cost-effective intervention embedded within the community for older adults living with frailty after 12-months? Participants will participate in Cognitive Groove classes twice per week for 3 months or receive no intervention (usual care).

Who Is on the Research Team?

Alexandra Papaioannou, MD

Principal Investigator

McMaster University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for community-dwelling adults aged 65 or older who are at high risk for mobility disability, can walk independently (with or without a device), follow instructions, have medical clearance to exercise, and can get to the YMCA twice weekly. It's not suitable for those who don't meet these criteria.

Inclusion Criteria

I can walk by myself for 25 meters, with or without help like a cane.

My doctor says it's safe for me to exercise.

I can get to the YMCA twice a week.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants attend Cognitive Groove classes twice per week for 3 months

12 weeks

24 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in physical performance, quality of life, and other health metrics

9 months

Periodic assessments at 3-month and 12-month intervals

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Cognitive Groove

Trial Overview The study tests if Cognitive Groove dance classes improve movement, strength, frailty status, balance confidence, mood, cognition and quality of life in elderly with frailty compared to usual care. Participants will attend dance classes twice a week for three months.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Cognitive Groove (GERAS DANCE) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Classes will occur twice per week for 3 months. Classes follow a consistent sequence of activities (orientation and socialization \[10-mins\]; warm-up \[5-mins\]; structured dance \[30-mins\]; cool-down \[5-mins\]; socialization and review of weekly hand-outs for balance exercises \[10-mins\]. The curriculum schedule includes five foundations and seven routines. Cognitive Groove (GERAS DANCE) foundations emphasize learning the ABCs of movement and increasing participants' confidence to move their bodies forward and backward and side-to-side with improved speed and rhythmicity. Cognitive Groove (GERAS DANCE) routines combine the foundational skills into full choreographed dances to music from the '50s and '60s (e.g., rock and roll, jazz, salsa, cha cha cha, rhythm soul, swing, disco, and Bollywood). Participants will receive an intervention-specific study manual that describes the homework exercises for each week.

Group II: Usual Care Active Control 1 Intervention

The control arm participants will continue with their usual care and normal activities. They will not receive any intervention during the study but will be given the opportunity to participate in Cognitive Groove (GERAS DANCE) programming after the study.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

McMaster University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

936

Recruited

2,630,000+