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Effectiveness of dance interventions for falls prevention in older adults: systematic review and meta-analysis

Lookup NU author(s): Claire EastaughORCiD, Fiona Beyer, Dr Gill NormanORCiD

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).


Abstract

Introduction: Fall prevention is a global health priority. Strength and balance exercise programmes are effective at reducing falls. Emerging literature suggests dance is an enjoyable and sociable form of exercise. However, there is little evidence that dance reduces fall incidence. Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis examining effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of dance for falls prevention in older adults. Five databases were searched with no restrictions on publication date or intervention settings. Risk of bias was assessed using variants of Cochrane Risk of bias tools, Mixed-Methods Appraisal and Drummond checklist as appropriate. Certainty of evidence was assessed using GRADE. Results: Forty-one studies were included (19 RCTs, 13 quasi-experimental, two mixed-method, seven observational studies, 2451 participants). Five types of dance interventions were identified: ballroom and Latin dance, dance exercise, cultural dance, dance therapy, and low impact dance. Meta-analysis was only possible for functional outcome measures: Timed-Up-and-Go (dance vs usual care, Mean Difference (MD)=1.36; 95%CI -3.57 to 0.85), Sit-to-Stand (dance vs exercise MD=-0.85; 95%CI -2.64 to 0.93: dance vs education MD=-1.64;95%CI -4.12 to 0.85), Berg Balance Scale (dance vs usual care MD=0.61; 95%CI -4.26 to 5.47). There was unexplained variance in effects and no significant differences between intervention and control groups. Overall certainty of evidence was very low; we are uncertain about the effect of dance interventions in reducing falls. Conclusions There is very low certainty evidence for dance as an alternative to strength and balance training if the aim is to prevent falls. No robust evidence on the cost-effectiveness of dance interventions for the prevention of falls was found. PROSPERO registration: CRD42022382908


Publication metadata

Author(s): Green KL, Yang Y, Abaraogu U, Eastaugh CH, Beyer FR, Norman G, Todd C

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Age and Ageing

Year: 2024

Volume: 53

Issue: 5

Print publication date: 01/05/2024

Online publication date: 22/05/2024

Acceptance date: 02/04/2024

Date deposited: 02/04/2024

ISSN (electronic): 1468-2834

Publisher: Oxford University Press

URL: https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afae104

DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afae104

Data Access Statement: This review is based on previously published studies. The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.


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Funding

Funder referenceFunder name
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Policy Research Unit in Older People and Frailty
NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Greater Manchester
NIHR200174
PR-PRU-1217-21502National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)

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