Dance Intervention to Improve Executive Function and Physical Performance in Older Adults With Cognitive Impairment

April 27, 2026 updated by: Taipei Medical University Shuang Ho Hospital

A Pilot Study of Dance Intervention for Enhancing Executive Function and Physical Performance in Cognitively Impaired Older Adults

This pilot study investigates the effects of a music-based dance intervention on executive function and physical performance in middle-aged and older adults with cognitive impairment. Dance, as a form of dual-task training, integrates music, rhythmic movement, and cognitive-motor coordination. When combined with group interaction and partner-guided physical cues, it has the potential to enhance both cognitive and motor functions simultaneously.

The intervention features a simple, structured dance sequence designed to stimulate rhythm, attention, and coordination through music-based movement. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of this approach in improving executive function and lower limb physical performance among individuals with cognitive impairment.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is an age-related condition that affects memory, judgment, and motor performance, often leading to reduced independence and quality of life. Recent studies have emphasized the interrelationship between cognitive and motor functions, particularly in individuals with neurodegenerative conditions. Interventions that incorporate dual-task training, such as dance, have shown promise in enhancing both domains by combining rhythmic movement, memory recall, physical coordination, and social interaction.

Dance-based interventions, especially those integrating music, external cues, and partner interaction, engage multiple brain regions including the frontal cortex, cerebellum, and hippocampus. These programs stimulate sensory-motor integration and executive control, potentially improving attention, gait, balance, and cognitive flexibility. Existing evidence supports that rhythm- and music-based movement, when combined with cognitive tasks, can enhance brain function, promote emotional regulation, and improve daily functioning in cognitively impaired populations.

This study aims to examine the effects of a structured, music-based dance intervention on executive function and physical performance in middle-aged and older adults with cognitive impairment. The program integrates fixed dance routines with perceptual-motor training and social interaction.

A total of 50 middle-aged and older adults receiving outpatient rehabilitation at a medical center in northern Taiwan were recruited and randomly assigned to either the music-based dance intervention group (n = 25) or the control group (n = 25). The intervention group participated in a nine-week group-based program involving rhythmic movement, mutual physical guidance, and social interaction. The control group completed a nine-week lower limb intermittent exercise program guided by non-musical instructional videos.

Assessments were conducted at three time points: pre-intervention, mid-intervention, and post-intervention. Evaluation tools included:Four-Square Step Test (FSST), Functional Reach Test (FRT), Timed Up and Go - Cognitive (TUG-Cognitive), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT), Modified Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE), Course feedback questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participant demographics. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to examine within-group and between-group differences over time. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS Statistics 26.0, with the significance level set at α < 0.05.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

50

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 Contact

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • Taiwan
    • Taiwan
      • New Taipei City, Taiwan, Taiwan, 235
        • Recruiting
        • Taipei Medical University Shuang Ho Hospital
        • Contact:

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

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD) with a score ≥5 on the SCD-Q9 questionnaire, or Mild Behavioral Impairment (MBI) with a score ≥7 on the MBI-Checklist, with symptoms persisting for more than three months.
  • Ability to follow instructions.
  • Ability to stand unsupported or with assistive devices for at least 10 minutes.
  • Ability to walk at least 10 meters, either unsupported or with assistive devices.

Exclusion Criteria:-Age below 55 years.

  • Severe visual or hearing impairment.
  • Score <16 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).
  • Emotional or anxiety symptoms caused by psychiatric medications that significantly impair the ability to perform study-related motor tasks.

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: Non-Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Music-based dance intervention group
The intervention group participated in a structured, nine-week group-based dance program designed to stimulate both cognitive and motor functions. Each 40-minute session was held twice per week and featured music-based rhythmic movement combined with fixed choreography. The dance routines emphasized perceptual-motor training through mutual physical guidance, spatial coordination, and social interaction among participants. The intervention aimed to enhance executive function, balance, and lower limb mobility by incorporating dual-task elements that challenge memory, attention, and physical control in a dynamic, enjoyable setting.
Behavioral: Music-based dance
The dance routines emphasized perceptual-motor training through mutual physical guidance, spatial coordination, and social interaction among participants. The intervention aimed to enhance executive function, balance, and lower limb mobility by incorporating dual-task elements that challenge memory, attention, and physical control in a dynamic, enjoyable setting.
Active Comparator: Control group
The control group participated in a structured, nine-week lower limb exercise program that included intermittent strength and balance training. Sessions were delivered twice weekly through standardized, non-musical instructional videos to ensure consistency and minimize cognitive stimulation.
Behavioral: Control
The training content is delivered through standardized, non-musical instructional videos. Participants in the control group follow fixed video demonstrations to perform functional lower limb exercises. The movement components include independent lower limb strength training and balance training.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Montreal Cognitive Assessment
Time Frame: Baseline, mid-intervention (week 5), and one week post-intervention (week 10)
The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a widely used screening tool for detecting Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). It evaluates seven cognitive domains through 12 subtests, including: visuospatial and executive Function (e.g., cube copying and clock drawing), naming (e.g., visual confrontation naming), attention and Concentration (e.g., digit span, vigilance tasks), language (e.g., sentence repetition and verbal fluency), abstract Reasoning (e.g., similarity identification), memory (immediate and delayed recall), orientation (temporal and spatial). A total score of 26 or above is considered within the normal cognitive range. According to previous studies, a cut-off score of 24 offers optimal discrimination for MCI, with a reported sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 78%.
Baseline, mid-intervention (week 5), and one week post-intervention (week 10)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Four-Square Step Test
Time Frame: Baseline, mid-intervention (week 5), and one week post-intervention (week 10)
The FSST assesses motor-cognitive integration and fall risk. Participants are instructed to step rapidly and safely over four squares formed by crossed floor tape in a specified sequence. The test requires directional changes, weight shifting, and quick stepping, engaging both lower limb motor control and executive attention. FSST is widely used in populations with balance impairments, including older adults, individuals with stroke, Parkinson's disease, vestibular disorders, and limb amputations. Cut-off times indicating elevated fall risk vary by population: >15 sec in older adults and stroke patients, >9.68 sec in Parkinson's disease, >12 sec in vestibular disorders, and >24 sec in amputees. The FSST demonstrates excellent test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.98) and inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.99)
Baseline, mid-intervention (week 5), and one week post-intervention (week 10)
Timed Up and Go - Cognitive
Time Frame: Baseline, mid-intervention (week 5), and one week post-intervention (week 10)
This test evaluates dual-task performance by measuring the time needed to stand up from a chair, walk 3 meters, turn, return, and sit down, while performing a cognitive task (counting backward by threes from a random number). It reflects motor-cognitive integration, especially executive function and attention. Times >15 seconds suggest increased fall risk. One practice trial is provided for instruction comprehension. The test takes approximately 3 minutes and demonstrates excellent test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.96) and strong criterion validity (r = 0.86-0.92)
Baseline, mid-intervention (week 5), and one week post-intervention (week 10)
Functional Reach Test
Time Frame: Baseline, mid-intervention (week 5), and one week post-intervention (week 10)
The FRT evaluates stability by measuring the maximal forward reach distance while standing with arms extended at 90 degrees and feet shoulder-width apart. The final reach distance is calculated by subtracting the starting fingertip position (third metacarpophalangeal joint) from the furthest reach. Three trials are averaged. Distances <15 cm indicate high fall risk. Normative values: 14-17 in (ages 20-40), 13-16 in (ages 41-69), and 10-13 in (ages 70-87). The FRT takes approximately 5 minutes to complete and demonstrates strong reliability (test-retest ICC = 0.90-0.95, inter-rater ICC = 0.89) and good face validity (r = 0.71)
Baseline, mid-intervention (week 5), and one week post-intervention (week 10)
Stroop Color and Word Test
Time Frame: Baseline, mid-intervention (week 5), and one week post-intervention (week 10)
The SCWT measures selective attention, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control. It includes three parts: (1) reading color words, (2) naming colored squares, and (3) naming the ink color of incongruent color words (e.g., the word "red" printed in blue ink should be answered as "blue"). Each part is timed for 45 seconds, and performance is scored by the number of correct responses. The test demonstrates high internal consistency (ICC = 0.91), indicating strong reliability
Baseline, mid-intervention (week 5), and one week post-intervention (week 10)
Course Feedback Questionnaire
Time Frame: One week post-intervention (week 10)
A custom three-item questionnaire developed to collect participant feedback on program experience and perceived benefits. Responses provide qualitative insight into engagement, satisfaction, and perceived change.
One week post-intervention (week 10)

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Taipei Medical University Shuang Ho Hospital

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Fen-Ling Kuo, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical 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 1, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

June 30, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

June 30, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

July 30, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 5, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

August 6, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

April 28, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 27, 2026

Last Verified

July 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • TMU-JIRBN202507032

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

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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