Dance Exercise for Down Syndrome

(DANCE-DS Trial)

Overseen By Lauren Ptomey, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Kansas Medical Center

Disqualifiers: Cancer, Recent heart attack, Stroke, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 24

Duration: 12 weeks

20 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The investigators are assessing acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of an remote choreographed exercise intervention using validated scales alongside qualitative data among young adults with Down Syndrome. Participants will take part in a 12-week exercise program with two 35-minute session per week delivered in a group setting. The aims of the project are to: * Assess the feasibility of a 12 week remotely delivered group dance intervention. * Assess changes in aerobic fitness and cognitive function in response to a 12 week remotely delivered group dance intervention. * Assess the intensity and total energy expenditure of remotely delivered group dance sessions.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

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

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment for decreasing Alzheimer's risk in individuals with Down Syndrome?

Research shows that exercise programs, including dance and aerobic activities, can improve mood, physical fitness, and cognitive function in individuals with Alzheimer's disease. These benefits suggest that similar exercise interventions might help reduce Alzheimer's risk in people with Down Syndrome. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is dance exercise safe for people with Down syndrome?

Research on physical activity, including dance exercise, for people with Down syndrome shows it is generally safe and can improve cognitive function and quality of life. Studies have not reported significant safety concerns, suggesting it is a safe activity for this group. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

How is the Decreasing Alzheimer's Risk Through oNline Choreographed Exercise - Down Syndrome Program treatment different from other treatments for Down Syndrome?

This treatment is unique because it uses dance exercise, which combines physical activity with music and social interaction, to potentially improve cognitive function and reduce Alzheimer's risk in individuals with Down Syndrome. Unlike traditional treatments, it is delivered online, making it accessible remotely and allowing for choreographed exercises that can be done at home. ^{11 12 13 14 15}

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for young adults with Down Syndrome who lead a sedentary lifestyle and are interested in participating in a remote exercise program. The goal is to see if this program can be done easily and if it's suitable for them.

Inclusion Criteria

I own a device that can connect to the internet and can join video calls twice a week.

I have been diagnosed with Down syndrome.

Ability to participate in Moderate to vigorous physical activity

Exclusion Criteria

I am not willing to participate in follow-up assessments.

I have a serious health condition like cancer, heart issues, or am pregnant.

This criterion seems to be incomplete. Could you provide more details?

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in a 12-week remotely delivered group dance intervention with two 35-minute sessions per week

12 weeks

24 sessions (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in aerobic fitness and cognitive function after the intervention

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Decreasing Alzheimer's Risk Through oNline Choreographed Exercise - Down Syndrome Program

Trial Overview The study tests a 12-week online group dance program, where participants will have two 35-minute sessions each week. It aims to check the ease of doing the dance remotely, its impact on fitness and thinking skills, and how much energy it uses.

Participant Groups

Group I: Decreasing Alzheimer's Risk Through oNline Choreographed Exercise - Down Syndrome Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will be asked to play attend 35 minute, remotely delivered, group exercise classes using choreographed exercise twice a week for 12 weeks.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Kansas Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

527

Recruited

181,000+

Findings from Research

A longitudinal study involving 24 individuals with early-stage Alzheimer's disease showed that participation in a structured exercise program significantly improved physical fitness, including aerobic capacity and strength, with highly significant gains in the six-minute walk test (p < .001).

The program also positively impacted mood and slowed cognitive decline, demonstrating that exercise combined with cognitive and social stimulation can provide meaningful benefits for individuals with Alzheimer's disease.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Student-led exercise sessions yield significant fitness gains for Alzheimer's patients. Arkin, SM.[2022]

Regular exercise is crucial for preventive health care, especially for older adults, as it can reduce the risk of chronic illnesses and improve mood and cognitive function.

The RDAD program, a home health exercise and problem-solving intervention, has been shown to effectively decrease physical, psychological, and behavioral disabilities in individuals with dementia, highlighting the importance of making exercise accessible and enjoyable for this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A home health care approach to exercise for persons with Alzheimer's disease. Logsdon, RG., McCurry, SM., Teri, L.[2019]

A 26-week supervised aerobic exercise program improved functional ability in individuals with early Alzheimer's disease, as evidenced by a significant gain in scores on the Disability Assessment for Dementia.

Increased cardiorespiratory fitness from the exercise was linked to better memory performance and less hippocampal atrophy, indicating that improving physical fitness may help support brain health in early Alzheimer's disease.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Aerobic exercise for Alzheimer's disease: A randomized controlled pilot trial. Morris, JK., Vidoni, ED., Johnson, DK., et al.[2023]

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]

A 12-month exercise program consisting of walking, strength, balance, and flexibility training significantly slowed the decline in the ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) in 134 patients with Alzheimer's disease compared to routine medical care.

The exercise program also improved physical performance, as evidenced by better 6-meter walking speed, with no adverse effects reported, highlighting its safety and potential benefits for this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exercise program for nursing home residents with Alzheimer's disease: a 1-year randomized, controlled trial. Rolland, Y., Pillard, F., Klapouszczak, A., et al.[2022]

A preliminary study showed that remotely delivered moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) sessions for adults with Down Syndrome (DS) led to high attendance, increased MVPA during sessions, and improvements in cognitive function.

A new trial will assess the feasibility and efficacy of these remote MVPA sessions in 80 non-demented adults with DS, focusing on increasing daily MVPA and evaluating impacts on cardiovascular fitness, quality of life, and cognitive function related to Alzheimer's disease.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The promotion of physical activity for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease in adults with Down Syndrome: Rationale and design for a 12 Month randomized trial. Ptomey, LT., Szabo-Reed, AN., Martin, LE., et al.[2023]

In a study of 61 non-demented adults with Down syndrome, higher levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were positively associated with better cognitive functioning, while more sedentary behavior was linked to poorer cognitive performance.

Physical activity was found to influence white matter integrity in the brain, suggesting that staying active may help promote healthier cognitive aging in individuals with Down syndrome, although it did not show a direct association with Alzheimer's disease pathology markers like amyloid-β and tau.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physical activity and cognitive and imaging biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease in down syndrome. Fleming, V., Piro-Gambetti, B., Patrick, A., et al.[2022]

Regular moderate and high-intensity exercise in adults with Down syndrome is associated with a significant reduction in the risk of cognitive decline, with high-intensity exercise linked to an 87% reduced risk of decline in personality and behavior over two years.

Engaging in moderate intensity exercise was also associated with a 62% reduction in the risk of memory and orientation decline, suggesting that physical activity may serve as a protective measure against dementia in this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Association between Physical Activity and CAMDEX-DS Changes Prior to the Onset of Alzheimer's Disease in Down Syndrome. Pape, SE., Baksh, RA., Startin, C., et al.[2022]

A 12-week exercise intervention involving group sessions improved memory performance in adults with Down syndrome, suggesting that physical activity can positively impact cognitive function.

Participants who attended more frequent exercise sessions (2 times a week) engaged in significantly more physical activity, which correlated with better cognitive outcomes, highlighting the importance of exercise frequency for cognitive benefits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Changes in cognitive function after a 12-week exercise intervention in adults with Down syndrome. Ptomey, LT., Szabo, AN., Willis, EA., et al.[2023]

In a study of 71 adults with Down syndrome, higher engagement in moderate physical activity was linked to better memory performance, suggesting that physical activity may help preserve cognitive function in this population.

While greater hippocampal volume was associated with improved memory scores, it did not show a significant relationship with physical activity levels, indicating that while exercise benefits memory, it may not directly influence hippocampal size.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physical activity, memory function, and hippocampal volume in adults with Down syndrome. Peven, JC., Handen, BL., Laymon, CM., et al.[2023]

In a pilot study involving 38 elderly patients with metabolic syndrome, those who participated in dance exercise twice a week for 6 months showed significant improvements in cognitive function, particularly in verbal fluency and memory tasks, compared to a control group.

Despite the cognitive benefits observed, the dance exercise did not lead to significant changes in cardiometabolic risk factors such as body mass index or blood glucose levels, suggesting that the cognitive improvements may be independent of physical health metrics.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of dance exercise on cognitive function in elderly patients with metabolic syndrome: a pilot study. Kim, SH., Kim, M., Ahn, YB., et al.[2021]

Dance interventions, including various styles and dance therapy, have been shown to improve physical and psychological health in elderly populations (65 years and older) and children, with benefits in areas such as depression, cognitive function, and neuromotor skills.

Notably, dance was associated with increased brain volume and function, as well as enhanced neurotrophic growth factors, suggesting that dance can have significant positive effects on brain health compared to regular exercise alone.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dance Is a Healing Art. Cox, L., Youmans-Jones, J.[2023]

The 4-month BAILAMOS dance program did not result in significant changes in hippocampal volume, indicating that it may not reverse hippocampal atrophy associated with cognitive decline.

Participants in the dance program reported increased physical activity compared to the control group, suggesting that while the program may not affect hippocampal size, it can enhance overall activity levels in older adults.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of the BAILAMOS Dance Program on hippocampal volume in older Latinos: a randomized controlled pilot study. Guzman, J., Aguiñaga, S., Balbim, GM., et al.[2022]

A six-month dance-exercise intervention led to significant cortical thickening in brain regions associated with visual processing and motor skills in seniors, suggesting potential benefits for cognitive health.

Participants in the dance-exercise group showed subtle improvements in executive functions compared to those who maintained their usual lifestyle, indicating that engaging in physical activity can enhance cognitive abilities in older adults.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Brain structure changes in nondemented seniors after six-month dance-exercise intervention. Rektorova, I., Klobusiakova, P., Balazova, Z., et al.[2020]

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]

References

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

Student-led exercise sessions yield significant fitness gains for Alzheimer's patients. [2022]

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

A home health care approach to exercise for persons with Alzheimer's disease. [2019]

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

Aerobic exercise for Alzheimer's disease: A randomized controlled pilot trial. [2023]

4. 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]

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

Exercise program for nursing home residents with Alzheimer's disease: a 1-year randomized, controlled trial. [2022]

6. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The promotion of physical activity for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease in adults with Down Syndrome: Rationale and design for a 12 Month randomized trial. [2023]

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

Physical activity and cognitive and imaging biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease in down syndrome. [2022]

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

The Association between Physical Activity and CAMDEX-DS Changes Prior to the Onset of Alzheimer's Disease in Down Syndrome. [2022]

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

Changes in cognitive function after a 12-week exercise intervention in adults with Down syndrome. [2023]

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

Physical activity, memory function, and hippocampal volume in adults with Down syndrome. [2023]

11. Turkey pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of dance exercise on cognitive function in elderly patients with metabolic syndrome: a pilot study. [2021]

12. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dance Is a Healing Art. [2023]

13. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of the BAILAMOS Dance Program on hippocampal volume in older Latinos: a randomized controlled pilot study. [2022]

14. Denmark pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Brain structure changes in nondemented seniors after six-month dance-exercise intervention. [2020]

15. 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]