Thai dance exercises benefited functional mobility and fall rates among community-dwelling older individuals

Chonticha Kaewjoho; Lugkana Mato; Thiwabhorn Thaweewannakij; Saowanee Nakmareong; Supaporn Phadungkit; Chitanongk Gaogasigam; Sugalya Amatachaya

doi:10.1142/S1013702520500031

Thai dance exercises benefited functional mobility and fall rates among community-dwelling older individuals

Hong Kong Physiother J. 2020 Jun;40(1):19-27. doi: 10.1142/S1013702520500031. Epub 2019 Dec 16.

Authors

Chonticha Kaewjoho^{1

2}, Lugkana Mato^{1

2}, Thiwabhorn Thaweewannakij^{1

2}, Saowanee Nakmareong^{1

2}, Supaporn Phadungkit^{1

2}, Chitanongk Gaogasigam^{2

3}, Sugalya Amatachaya^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
² Improvement of Physical Performance and Quality of Life (IPQ), Research Group, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
³ Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.

Abstract

Background: With dramatic increase in the number of older individuals, special efforts have been made to promote the levels of independence and reduce fall rates among these individuals.

Objective: To investigate the effects of Thai dance exercises over 6 weeks on functional mobility and fall rates in community-dwelling older individuals.

Methods: Sixty-one community-dwelling older adults were interviewed and assessed for their demographics and fall data during 6 months prior to participation in the study. Then they completed the quasi-experimental Thai dance exercise program for 50 minutes/day, 3 days/week over 6 weeks. Their functional mobility relating to levels of independence and safety were assessed prior to training, at 3-week and 6-week training. After completing the program at 6 weeks, participants were prospectively monitored for fall data over 6 months.

Results: Participants improved their functional mobility significantly after 3- and 6-week training $(p < 0.01)$ . The number of faller individuals obviously decreased from 35% $(n = 21)$ prior to training to only 8% $(n = 5)$ after training $(p < 0.01)$ .

Conclusion: The current findings further extend benefits of Thai dance as an alternative musical exercise program to promote levels of independence and safety among community-dwelling older adults.

Keywords: Older adult; balance; cultural dance; fall; walking.