Creative Dance-Supported CO-OP Approach in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment (COOP-DANCE)

December 13, 2025 updated by: Ceyhun Türkmen, Çankırı Karatekin University

The Effect of a Creative Dance-Supported CO-OP Approach on Executive Functions, Attention, Memory, and Dual-Task Performance in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate if the CO-OP (Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance) approach, supported by creative dance, can improve cognitive functions in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The study focuses on the effects of this intervention on executive functions, attention, memory, and dual-task performance.

The main questions this study aims to answer are:

Does the CO-OP approach with creative dance improve executive functions, attention, and memory more than CO-OP alone? How effective is this intervention in enhancing dual-task performance compared to the standard CO-OP approach?

Participants will:

Engage in either the CO-OP intervention alone or the CO-OP approach combined with creative dance for 8 weeks.

Complete cognitive tasks, participate in creative dance activities, and perform daily tasks during the sessions.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

This clinical trial aims to assess the effectiveness of a Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) approach, enhanced with creative dance, in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The CO-OP method is a cognitive rehabilitation strategy that helps individuals improve occupational performance through goal-setting, problem-solving, and the use of metacognitive strategies. In this study, the CO-OP approach will be integrated with creative dance movements, a form of physical and artistic expression known to stimulate both cognitive and motor functions.

The study will enroll 24 participants between the ages of 65 and 85, diagnosed with MCI according to DSM-5 criteria. Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups:

CO-OP with Creative Dance Group: This group will receive the CO-OP intervention along with creative dance sessions. The creative dance component will consist of simple movements designed to improve motor coordination, memory, and attention, all while fostering social interaction and emotional expression.

CO-OP Only Group: This group will undergo the CO-OP approach alone without any creative dance involvement.

The intervention will last for 8 weeks, with three 60-minute sessions each week. During the sessions, participants in the CO-OP with creative dance group will alternate between cognitive tasks and dance-based activities. The sessions are designed to progressively challenge cognitive and motor skills while ensuring safety and comfort for older adults.

The primary outcome measures include improvements in executive functions, attention, memory, and dual-task performance. Cognitive function will be assessed using standardized neuropsychological tests such as the Trail Making Test Part B (for executive function), Stroop Test (for attention), Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (for memory), and dual-task assessments combining walking with cognitive tasks. Participants' quality of life will be measured using the SF-36 Health Survey, and depression and social isolation will be evaluated through the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and UCLA Loneliness Scale, respectively.

Secondary measures will focus on the potential emotional and social benefits of integrating creative dance into the CO-OP approach. These will include participant feedback on enjoyment and perceived improvements in social interaction and emotional well-being. The trial will also explore whether the addition of creative dance enhances motivation, engagement, and adherence to the intervention.

Data will be collected at baseline, at the end of the 8-week intervention, and again at 3 and 6 months post-intervention to evaluate both short-term and long-term effects. Statistical analysis will be conducted using repeated measures ANOVA to assess changes over time between groups.

This study is expected to provide insights into how integrating creative dance with the CO-OP approach can potentially offer a more holistic and effective intervention for older adults with MCI, addressing both cognitive and physical domains while also promoting social interaction and emotional health.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

26

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

      • Çankırı, Turkey (Türkiye)
        • Ceyhun Türkmen
    • Not Applicable For Türkiye
      • Çankırı, Not Applicable For Türkiye, Turkey (Türkiye), 18100
        • Çankırı Karatekin University, Faculty of Health Sciences

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age between 65 and 85 years old
  • Diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) according to DSM-5 criteria
  • Ability to participate in physical activities, including creative dance movements
  • Willingness to attend all study sessions and follow-up assessments
  • Able to give informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Diagnosis of a major neurocognitive disorder (e.g., Alzheimer's disease)
  • Presence of severe physical impairments that prevent participation in physical activity
  • Current use of medications that significantly affect cognitive function
  • Participation in another clinical trial within the past 3 months
  • History of significant psychiatric disorders (e.g., major depression, schizophrenia)

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: 1- CO-OP with Creative Dance
Participants in this experimental group will receive the CO-OP (Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance) approach combined with creative dance interventions. The creative dance component will involve simple, structured movements designed to enhance cognitive and motor functions such as attention, memory, and coordination. The intervention will be administered three times per week for 60-minute sessions over an 8-week period. This group will alternate between CO-OP activities and creative dance exercises, integrating both to improve daily functional performance and cognitive abilities.
The CO-OP with Creative Dance intervention integrates the Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) approach with structured creative dance sessions. The CO-OP approach focuses on improving cognitive and functional performance through goal-setting, problem-solving, and the use of metacognitive strategies. Creative dance sessions involve simple, rhythmic movements aimed at enhancing motor coordination, memory, and attention. This intervention is administered three times per week for 60 minutes over 8 weeks. The sessions alternate between CO-OP activities and creative dance exercises.
Active Comparator: CO-OP Only
Participants in this active comparator group will receive the CO-OP (Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance) approach without any additional creative dance interventions. The CO-OP approach will focus on cognitive and metacognitive strategies to improve daily occupational performance. Sessions will take place three times per week for 60 minutes over an 8-week period. This group will engage in problem-solving and goal-setting activities to enhance functional and cognitive outcomes without the integration of dance or physical movement activities.
The CO-OP Only intervention involves the Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) approach, which is designed to improve cognitive and functional performance through structured goal-setting, problem-solving, and metacognitive strategies. Participants engage in activities focused on improving their ability to perform daily tasks by using cognitive tools to develop and execute solutions. The intervention is administered three times per week for 60 minutes over an 8-week period. No additional physical or dance activities are included in this arm.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Executive Function as Measured by the Trail Making Test Part B
Time Frame: Baseline, immediately after the 8-week intervention, and at 3 and 6 months post-intervention
The primary outcome is the change in executive function, assessed using the Trail Making Test Part B, from baseline to the end of the 8-week intervention. The test evaluates the participant's ability to switch between tasks, a key component of executive function. Improvements in test scores indicate enhanced cognitive flexibility and task-switching abilities. This outcome is critical for evaluating the impact of the CO-OP approach (with or without creative dance) on executive function in participants with mild cognitive impairment. If you have additional primary measures, they can be included, but typically this would be the focus.
Baseline, immediately after the 8-week intervention, and at 3 and 6 months post-intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Attention as Measured by the Stroop Test
Time Frame: Baseline, immediately after the 8-week intervention, and at 3 and 6 months post-intervention
This secondary outcome evaluates changes in attention and cognitive control, assessed using the Stroop Test. The test measures participants' ability to inhibit cognitive interference and focus on relevant stimuli. Improvement in scores from baseline to post-intervention and follow-up points will indicate enhanced attention and cognitive control
Baseline, immediately after the 8-week intervention, and at 3 and 6 months post-intervention
Change in Memory Performance as Measured by the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test
Time Frame: Baseline, immediately after the 8-week intervention, and at 3 and 6 months post-intervention
This secondary outcome assesses changes in visual memory and organizational skills, using the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test. Participants' ability to recall and reproduce complex figures will be measured at baseline, post-intervention, and during follow-up assessments at 3 and 6 months. Improvements in scores will indicate enhanced memory function.
Baseline, immediately after the 8-week intervention, and at 3 and 6 months post-intervention
Change in Dual-Task Performance as Measured by Walking While Performing a Cognitive Task"
Time Frame: Baseline, immediately after the 8-week intervention, and at 3 and 6 months post-intervention
This secondary outcome evaluates the participants' ability to perform a motor task (walking) while simultaneously engaging in a cognitive task (such as recalling numbers or words). The assessment will measure the impact of the intervention on dual-task performance, with data collected at baseline, post-intervention, and at 3 and 6 months follow-up. Improvement in dual-task performance will indicate better cognitive-motor integration and executive function.
Baseline, immediately after the 8-week intervention, and at 3 and 6 months post-intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Ceyhun Türkmen, PhD, Çankırı Karatekin University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

November 15, 2024

Primary Completion (Actual)

December 10, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

December 12, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

October 13, 2024

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

October 15, 2024

First Posted (Actual)

October 16, 2024

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

December 19, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

December 13, 2025

Last Verified

December 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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