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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2017 Jun;11(3):350-359.
doi: 10.1007/s11764-016-0593-9. Epub 2017 Jan 9.

A dance intervention for cancer survivors and their partners (RHYTHM)

Maria Pisu  1   2 , Wendy Demark-Wahnefried  3   4 , Kelly M Kenzik  3   5 , Robert A Oster  6   7 , Chee Paul Lin  6   7 , Sharon Manne  8 , Ronald Alvarez  3   9 , Michelle Y Martin  10   11
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

A dance intervention for cancer survivors and their partners (RHYTHM)

Maria Pisu et al. J Cancer Surviv. 2017 Jun.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and impact of a ballroom dance intervention on improving quality of life (QOL) and relationship outcomes in cancer survivors and their partners.

Methods: We conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial with two arms (Restoring Health in You (and Your Partner) through Movement, RHYTHM): (1) immediate dance intervention and (2) delayed intervention (wait-list control). The intervention consisted of 10 private weekly dance lessons and 2 practice parties over 12 weeks. Main outcomes were physical activity (Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire), functional capacity (6 Minute Walk Test), QOL (SF-36), Couples' trust (Dyadic Trust Scale), and other dyadic outcomes. Exit interviews were completed by all participating couples.

Results: Thirty-one women survivors (68% breast cancer) and their partners participated. Survivors were 57.9 years old on average and 22.6% African American. Partners had similar characteristics. RHYTHM had significant positive effects on physical activity (p = 0.05), on the mental component of QOL (p = 0.04), on vitality (p = 0.03), and on the dyadic trust scale (p = 0.04). Couples expressed satisfaction with the intervention including appreciating the opportunity to spend time and exercise together. Survivors saw this light-intensity physical activity as easing them into becoming more physically active.

Conclusions: Light intensity ballroom dancing has the potential to improve cancer survivors' QOL. Larger trials are needed to build strong support for this ubiquitous and acceptable activity.

Implications for cancer survivors: Ballroom dance may be an important tool for cancer survivors to return to a physically active life and improve QOL and other aspects of their intimate life.

Keywords: Couples; Dance; Neoplasms; Physical activity; Quality of life; Survivors.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. CONSORT Diagram for the RHYTHM project
*Wait-list control group in which survivors received the intervention after the 12-week assessment (62.5% completed 10 dance lesson, 37.5% completed ≥ 1 practice party)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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