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Adapted Tango Improves Mobility, Motor–Cognitive Function, and Gait but Not Cognition in Older Adults in Independent Living
Author(s) -
Hackney Madeleine E.,
Byers Colleen,
Butler Gail,
Sweeney Morgan,
Rossbach Lauren,
Bozzorg Aaron
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/jgs.13650
Subject(s) - medicine , cognition , gait , physical medicine and rehabilitation , independent living , gerontology , physical therapy , psychiatry
Objectives To determine the efficacy of adapted tango for improving mobility, motor–cognitive function, and gait; to determine whether former dance experience was associated with improvements; and to evaluate participant satisfaction, changes in depression, and quality of life. Design Quasi‐experimental, two‐group, repeated‐measures preintervention, postintervention, and 3‐month postintervention study. Setting Diverse senior independent living communities in an urban metropolitan area. Participants Individuals aged 59 to 95 (73% aged 80 and older; 31% nonwhite, 72% female) (N = 74). Intervention Participants were assigned to 20 sessions of 90‐minute tango (n = 62) or health education (n = 12) classes over 12 weeks. Measurements Mobility, motor–cognitive function, gait, cognition, and psychosocial function were evaluated before, immediately after, and 3 months after the intervention. Two (groups) by two (before and after) repeated‐measures analyses of variance with post hoc comparisons were used to evaluate differences in primary analyses. Secondary analyses from immediately after to 3 months after were used to examine the data for retention of any gains. Results Forty‐four tango and 10 education participants completed 20 sessions. Significant group by time interactions revealed that tango improved mobility ( P = .006), backward and fast gait speeds ( P < .001), and motor–cognitive function ( P = .03). Education improved depression ( P = .001). No relationship was noted between previous dance experience and improvements. Gains were maintained 3 months after the intervention. Conclusion Adapted tango may improve mobility, gait and motor–cognitive function more than health education classes in older adults. Further research is necessary to confirm these findings.