Dance Workshop for Institutionalized Seniors With Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia

NCT05799001 | Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: RIPH2_CHAPPUIS_APAISE2022-A02335-38
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 180
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

It is estimated that the prevalence of dementia in France is 5% for people over 65 years of age and that this increases to 18% for people over 75 years of age. Behavioral disorders are frequent in patients with dementia and are the main cause of institutionalization, representing up to 50% of cases. Dementia syndromes can be translated into behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), which are defined as perceptual, mood or behavioral disorders. To date, there is no cure for dementia, but certain measures can be taken to reduce symptoms. The HAS suggests that physical exercise would reduce BPSD and could improve the ability to perform activities of daily living or slow down the cognitive decline of this type of patient. Indeed, several articles have highlighted the benefits of physical activity in demented patients. A meta-analysis has shown a significant decrease in BPSD via the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) score. Nevertheless, it is often observed that there is a difficulty in adhering to the program in very elderly population groups. Dance is a complete physical activity that integrates physical, cognitive and social elements. A meta-analysis has shown that dance has a significant effect on global cognition but also on neuroplasticity and physical functioning in patients with mental disorders. The music component of dance also has an effect on the behavioral problems of demented patients, stimulating language ability and social and emotional function. However, at present, no study of good methodological quality has been able to demonstrate the effectiveness of dance-based physical activity for the treatment of dementia symptoms. As a result of these findings, the APAISE project was developed and should help slow the onset of BPSD in patients with dementia.

Conditions

Dementia

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Compare the effectiveness of adding biweekly dance class for 4 months on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in institutionalized older adults compared to usual care alone.

  The primary endpoint was the overall score on the validated Neuropsychiatric Inventory questionnaire, completed by the health care teams. This questionnaire will be done at inclusion (day 0) and after 4 months of dance therapy for the experimental group or usual care alone for the control group.This questionnaire allows to highlight behavioral disorders in patients suffering from dementia according to 10 behavioral domains and 2 neurovegetative variables (sleep and appetite).

  4 months

Secondary Outcomes (15)

• evolution of behavioral problems

  - 8 and 12 months for the experimental group- 12 and 16 months for the control group

• evaluation of cognitive functions

  - 4 months (for the 2 groups)- 8 and 12 months for the experimental group- 12 and 16 months for the control group

• autonomy or degree of dependence

  - 4 months (for the 2 groups)- 8 and 12 months for the experimental group- 12 and 16 months for the control group

• activity frequency of dementia patients

  - 4 months (for the 2 groups)- 8 and 12 months for the experimental group- 12 and 16 months for the control group

• state of depression

  - 4 months (for the 2 groups)- 8 and 12 months for the experimental group- 12 and 16 months for the control group

Study Arms (2)

experimental

EXPERIMENTAL

4 months of dance workshop with a Professional dance teacher

Behavioral: Dance therapy

Control

OTHER

First, patients will have usual activities for 4 months and in a second time, they will have 4 months of dance class with a nurse previously trained by the dance teacher

Behavioral: Dance therapy

Interventions

Dance therapy BEHAVIORAL

Patients will be randomized in 2 groups, experimental or control. The experimental group will have 4 months of dance therapy with a professional dancer and will then resume there usual activities. The control group will start with their usual activities in the nursing home for the first 4 months and then, they will have dance sessions with a nurse previously trained by the dancer.

Control; experimental

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 65 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Institutionalized patient (male or female) over 65 years of age ;
• Patient with behavioral problems, as measured by an NPI-ES ≥ 4 on any item and an NPI-ES impact scale ≥ 3 ;
• Patient able to mobilize the upper body at a minimum (arms, trunk, head);
• Possibility of including patients under guardianship or curatorship;
• Patient affiliated to a social security plan;
• Obtaining consent from the patient or legal representative.

You may not qualify if:

• Inability of the patient to follow the sessions (e.g., major visual/auditory disabilities), difficult follow-up, or any other reason at the discretion of the investigator;
• Inability of the health care team to complete the NPI-ES questionnaire for the patient;
• Patient has a concurrent psychiatric disorder (e.g., bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or other).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Centre Hospitalier Emile Roux: lead

Study Sites (2)

Centre Hospitalier Pays Craponne

Craponne-sur-Arzon, 43500, France

RECRUITING

Centre Hospitalier Emile Roux

Le Puy-en-Velay, 43000, France

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Dementia

Interventions

Dance Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Neurocognitive Disorders; Mental Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Sensory Art Therapies; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Exercise Movement Techniques; Physical Therapy Modalities; Psychotherapy; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities

Central Study Contacts

Cécile CHAPPUIS

CONTACT

0471041545; cecile.chappuis@ch-lepuy.fr

Lauriane SEDES, PhD

CONTACT

0471043127; lauriane.sedes@ch-lepuy.fr

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 3, 2023
• First Posted: April 5, 2023
• Study Start: March 8, 2023
• Primary Completion: January 31, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 31, 2026
• Last Updated: August 7, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-08

Locations

FR (2)