NCT05507905

Effects of Dance and Music Appreciation on Brain Health and Fitness in People at Risk for Alzheimer's Disease

Establishing the Optimal Frequency of Dance Movement for Neurocognitive and Physical Outcomes in People at Risk of Alzheimer's Disease

• Status: Active Not Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 165 (actual)
• Sponsor: Wake Forest University Health Sciences · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 62 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The purpose of this research study is to study the effects of dance movement and music on memory and cardiorespiratory fitness in older adults who are concerned about memory loss. The study aims to determine the optimal number of movement or music appreciation classes a week to support brain health and fitness. Participants will be people 62 years or older who are concerned about their memory, but do not yet have a diagnosis of cognitive impairment. If a participant is deemed qualified to participate, he/she will be placed into one of four groups and will attend 1, 2, or 3 group or music appreciation classes per week for 24 weeks (6 months). In addition to attending the group classes, participants will be asked to complete at least four study visits at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center to complete various clinical assessments, including a brain MRI.

Detailed description

IGROOVE is an individually randomized group treatment trial that is controlled and single-blind. It will enroll adults aged 62 years and older who are low-active, report a Cognitive Change Index score ≥16, do not meet criteria for mild cognitive impairment or dementia, are healthy enough to complete repeated graded exercise testing (GXT), and have no contraindications for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Randomization will be assessed to ensure equal distribution across study arms for these sex and body mass index (BMI) and will be stratified if necessary. New participants will be rolled into the intervention every 6 weeks. Data collection will take place at Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Health. Interventions will consist of dance classes or music appreciation classes designed and taught by local experts, and will take place in community sites, such as local dance studios, community centers, community gyms or churches. All intervention sites selected will be handicap accessible, well-lit, have appropriate flooring for safe dance movement, and access to sturdy chairs without wheels or arms.

Conditions

• Alzheimer Disease

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Music	Music associated with dance forms in dance classes.
BEHAVIORAL	Dance Classes	Four Different dance forms taught for 6 weeks each

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-04-24
• Primary completion: 2027-03-31
• Completion: 2027-03-31
• First posted: 2022-08-19
• Last updated: 2026-03-17

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States