Key result
Integrating dance/movement therapy with physical therapy exercises did not significantly improve heart rate variability compared to physical therapy alone, but significantly improved balance.
Why the study?
Falls among older adults are influenced by physical and psychological factors, but the impact of integrating Dance/Movement Therapy into physical therapy exercises on heart rate variability and fall risk was unclear.
Does integrating Dance/Movement Therapy with physical therapy exercises improve heart rate variability and fall risk factors in community-dwelling older adults?
RCT (n=8)
Simple randomization using a random number table
No
Does integrating Dance/Movement Therapy with physical therapy exercises improve heart rate variability and fall risk factors in community-dwelling older adults?
Absolute Event Rate: 14.46% vs 13.55%
p-value: p=0.37
Integrating Dance/Movement Therapy with physical therapy exercises may improve balance and falls self-efficacy in older adults, though it did not significantly alter heart rate variability in this small pilot study.
Falls among older adults are influenced by both physical and psychological risk factors. This pilot study specifically examined the impact of integrating Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT) into a regimen of physical therapy exercises (PTE) for fall prevention. The primary objectives included examining the effect of post-PTE+DMT intervention on heart rate variability (HRV), a psychophysiological marker, and fall risk factors. Additionally, this study aimed to examine correlations between HRV and levels of fall risk. Eight community-dwelling older adults (median = 83 [interquartile ranges: 80.5–85.75]) from a day center for senior citizens were randomly assigned to either a PTE+DMT group or a PTE group. A post intervention battery of HRV, physical and psychological fall risk assessments, was conducted. The results of nonparametric analysis demonstrated the potential impact of the PTE+DMT intervention in improving balance and self-efficacy measures related to falls when compared to participation in PTE alone. No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups in term of HRV and other physical and psychological fall risk factors. The emerging trends in the associations between HRV, fall risk, and balance levels suggest the potential utility of HRV as an objective psychophysiological marker for assessing fall risk levels. Moreover, the results underscore the potential advantages of interventions that integrate both physical and psychological components to mitigate fall risk in older adults, emphasizing the intricate mind–body connection. The ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05948735, July 7, 2023.
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Pitluk et al. (2024) conducted an RCT in Fall risk (n=8). Physical therapy exercises integrated with Dance/Movement Therapy vs. Physical therapy exercises alone was evaluated on Heart rate variability (RMSSD in ms) (p=0.37). Integrating dance/movement therapy with physical therapy exercises did not significantly improve heart rate variability compared to physical therapy alone, but significantly improved balance.
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