Dance activity interventions targeting cognitive functioning in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: A meta-analysis

Abstract

ObjectivesTo comprehensively determine the effect of dance activities on the cognitive functions and its sub-domains of older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).MethodsWe obtained data from PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, China national knowledge infrastructure, Wanfang data, and VIP databases from 2017/01/01 to 2022/03/01. We included trials of older adults with MCI that underwent dance activity intervention and fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Two researchers independently assessed the quality of the study using the Cochrane risk of the bias assessment tool. Meta-analysis was performed when data were available, with further subgroup analysis, using Review Manager 5.4, and sensitivity analysis was performed using Stata software 15.1.ResultsSearch terms yielded 183 articles, of which 12 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. This included 7 high-quality studies and 5 medium-quality studies. A total of 820 older adults were analyzed. Results showed that dance activity had beneficial effects for global cognition [SMDMMSE = 0.65, 95% CIMMSE (0.20, 1.09), pMMSE = 0.004; SMDMoCA = 0.87, 95% CIMoCA (0.44, 1.29), pMoCA < 0.0001], memory [SMD = 0.61, 95% CI (0.35, 0.88), p < 0.00001], visuospatial function [SMD = −0.39, 95% CI (−0.60, −0.19), p = 0.0002], cognitive flexibility [SMD = −0.31, 95% CI (−0.52, −0.11), p = 0.003], attention [SMD = 0.34, 95% CI (0.07, 0.61), p = 0.01], and balance [SMD = 1.25, 95% CI (0.06, 2.44), p = 0.04]. Further subgroup analysis showed that open-skill dance activity (OSDA) was more effective in promoting global cognition in older adults with MCI than closed-skill dance activity (CSDA) because of the different stimulation provided by the two types of dance activities in the brain regions of the older adults (p = 0.0002). It could be speculated that dance activity improved cognitive function mainly by affecting the microstructure and function of the cingulate tract, hippocampus, cardiovascular function, and other brain areas of older adults with MCI.ConclusionDance activities can significantly improve global cognition, memory, visuospatial function, cognitive flexibility, attention, and balance in older adults with MCI. However, more trials with rigorous study designs are necessary to provide more concrete evidence in the future.

Effects of dance therapy on cognitive and mental health in adults aged 55 years and older with mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…DT is essentially a social activity which provides a supportive environment that maximizes the retention of participants’ communication skills [ 16 , 54 ]. In contrast with the insignificant effect detected in our study, previous reviews had identified potential benefits of DT on visuospatial ability [ 12 , 51 , 55 ]. A recent RCT suggested that participation in a 10-month systematic dance session may improve the visuospatial skills of older adults with MCI to a greater extent versus control [ 35 ].…”

The effects of exergames for cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review and metaanalysis

“…The results of the subgroup analysis showed that compared with the control group, single-task intervention could positively affect the overall cognitive ability by improving MoCA scores. Our results were consistent with previous EBI studies ( 12 , 18 ). The overall comprehensive results obtained in this study are optimistic, but it is important to explain that in some other cognitive tests, such as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Trail Making Test B (TMT-B), and Digit Span Forward (DSF), no significant impact of the action video game intervention was observed.…”

“…Since each drug has potential side effects, multiple medications may also lead to increased adverse reactions due to drug interaction. Therefore, non-pharmacological methods are now recommended for the treatment of MCI ( 6 , 12 ). Existing studies have shown a link between physical exercise and improving cognitive and physical performance levels in the elderly with MCI ( 13–16 ).…”

Music Engagement as a Source of Cognitive Reserve

“… 94 Given that weekly dance practice has been shown to lead to structural brain improvements and cognitive health beyond the effects of exercise alone, 95 it is plausible to think that music and exercise in conjunction (such as dance) could represent a more robust approach to building cognitive reserve. 94 , 96 Further, Mitterová et al 97 suggested that there was a robust link between CR and dance-related brain plasticity. The authors longitudinally examined dance-induced neuroplastic changes in older adults, suggesting that brain plasticity was moderated by CR capacity (proxied by education).…”