Online Mindfulness-based Dance/Movement Therapy on Physical Activity and Whole-Person Health in Older Adults

NCT07852572 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 1R01AT013255-01A1
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 204
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial will examine whether an online, group-based Mindfulness-based Dance/Movement Therapy (M-DMT) intervention can increase physical activity and improve whole-person health among sedentary older adults. M-DMT combines mindful movement, creative expression, and interpersonal connection to support physical, cognitive, emotional, and social well-being. Participants will be randomly assigned to either M-DMT or the Stony Brook Health Education Program (HEP). The study will evaluate changes in physical activity, measured through self-report and accelerometry, as well as multiple dimensions of whole-person health. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, immediately following the 12-week intervention, and at a 3-month follow-up. Qualitative interviews will further explore participants' experiences with the interventions and their perceived effects on health and daily life.

Conditions

Physical Activity and Wellbeing; Whole Health

Keywords

Mindfulness-based Dance/Movement Therapy; Dance/Movement Therapy; Older adults; online intervention; Whole-person health; physical activity; healthy aging; creative arts therapies

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Self-Reported Physical Activity

  Self-reported physical activity will be assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), which measures physical activity during the previous seven days. Weekly minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) will be calculated from reported frequency and duration of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activities. Higher values indicate greater physical activity. The primary outcome will be the change in weekly MVPA minutes from baseline to immediately following the 12-week intervention.

  Baseline, Week 12, and approximately Week 24

Secondary Outcomes (7)

• Accelerometer-Measured Physical Activity

  Baseline, Week 12, and approximately Week 24

• Lower-Body Physical Function

  Baseline, Week 12, and approximately Week 24

• Static Balance

  Baseline, Week 12, and approximately Week 24

• Cognitive function

  Baseline, Week 12, and approximately Week 24

• Self-Reported Health Outcomes

  Baseline, Week 12, and approximately Week 24

Other Outcomes (5)

• Exercise Self-Efficacy

  Baseline, Week 12, and approximately Week 24

• Intrinsic motivation

  Baseline, week 12, week 24

• Mindful awareness

  Baseline, Week 12, and Week 24

Study Arms (2)

Mindfulness-based Dance/Movement Therapy

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants assigned to this arm will receive a 12-week online, group-based Mindfulness-based Dance/Movement Therapy (M-DMT) intervention. The intervention integrates mindfulness practices, creative movement, and therapeutic group interaction to promote physical activity and whole-person health among sedentary older adults. Sessions will encourage participants to engage in movement that is responsive to their individual physical abilities, sensations, and emotional experiences while fostering mindful awareness, self-expression, and social connection.

Behavioral: Mindfulness-based Dance/Movement Therapy

Health Enhancement Program

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants assigned to this arm will receive a 12-week online, group-based health education intervention. The program will provide health-related information and opportunities for group discussion to support general health and well-being among older adults. Unlike M-DMT, the program will not incorporate structured mindfulness practices, dance/movement therapy, or experiential movement activities. This condition serves as an active comparator to help distinguish the effects of M-DMT from those associated with participation in an online group-based health program.

Behavioral: Stony Brook Health Education Program (HEP)

Interventions

Mindfulness-based Dance/Movement Therapy BEHAVIORAL

Mindfulness-based Dance/Movement Therapy (M-DMT) is a 12-week, online, group-based behavioral intervention that integrates mindfulness practices with dance/movement therapy to promote physical activity and whole-person health among sedentary older adults. The intervention incorporates mindful movement, creative expression, body awareness, and interpersonal interaction. Participants are encouraged to explore movements that accommodate their individual physical abilities and emotional experiences while developing greater confidence, enjoyment, and motivation for physical activity. Sessions are facilitated by a trained dance/movement therapist through a secure videoconferencing platform.

Mindfulness-based Dance/Movement Therapy

Stony Brook Health Education Program (HEP) BEHAVIORAL

The Stony Brook Health Education Program (HEP) is a 12-week, online, group-based behavioral intervention designed to provide older adults with health-related information and opportunities for social interaction. Sessions involve structured health education and facilitated group discussions addressing topics relevant to healthy aging and general well-being. The program does not incorporate formal mindfulness practices, dance/movement therapy, or structured physical activity exercises. HEP serves as an active comparison condition to account for nonspecific effects associated with group participation, facilitator attention, and engagement in a structured online health program.

Health Enhancement Program

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 65 Years - 85 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Adults aged 65-85 years.
• Insufficiently physically active, defined as engaging in less than 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity physical activity or less than 75 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity physical activity, as assessed during screening.
• Able to use a computer, tablet, or smartphone to participate in online intervention sessions and complete study assessments, with or without assistance.
• Have adequate vision and hearing, with or without correction, to safely participate in online group sessions and complete study procedures.
• Able to safely engage in mild-to-moderate physical activity, as determined through a virtual physical safety screening conducted by a physical therapist or trained study personnel.
• Have sufficient cognitive capacity to provide informed consent and participate in study procedures, as assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Telehealth Version (MoCA-T). Individuals scoring 26 or higher will be considered eligible based on cognitive screening.
• Able and willing to provide informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• Significant cognitive impairment, defined as a MoCA-T score below 18, or cognitive difficulties that prevent informed consent or safe participation.
• Use of mobility aids, including a cane, walker, or wheelchair, or physical limitations that would prevent safe participation in movement-based activities.
• Medical conditions that contraindicate participation in mild-to-moderate physical activity, as determined during the physical safety screening.
• Surgery within the previous six months that may limit safe participation in physical activity.
• Physician recommendations or restrictions against participation in moderate physical activity or exercise.
• A recently diagnosed serious mental health condition that may interfere with participation in study procedures.
• Any additional medical, physical, cognitive, or safety concern that, in the judgment of the study investigators, would make participation unsafe or compromise the integrity of the study.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Stony Brook University: collaborator
• Texas A&M University: collaborator
• Drexel University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Drexel University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States

Location

Related Publications (4)

• Shim, M., Lacson, C., Kavanaugh, M., Goldstein-Levitas, N., & Fisher, K. (2024). Online mindful movement approach for older adults: Two case studies. Activities, Adaptation & Aging, 48(4), 705-722.

  BACKGROUND

• Shim M, Park SG, Smith D, Uhler E, Lacson C. Tele-Dance Interventions for Health Outcomes: A Scoping Review. Telemed J E Health. 2026 Jun;32(6):547-565. doi: 10.1177/15305627261427355. Epub 2026 Mar 14.

  PMID: 41830552 BACKGROUND

• Shim M, Gaydos M, Goldstein-Levitas N, Musalo N, Prakash N, Bradt J, Zhang F, Wenger S, Gonzalez A. Development and feasibility of a mindfulness-based dance/movement therapy intervention for chronic low back pain. Front Pain Res (Lausanne). 2024 Apr 10;5:1281085. doi: 10.3389/fpain.2024.1281085. eCollection 2024.

  PMID: 38689886 BACKGROUND

• Shim M, Kavanaugh M, Lacson C, Goldstein-Levitas N, Chang H, Zhang F, Palekar N, Gonzalez A, Fisher K. Connected through movement: a feasibility study of online mindfulness-based dance/movement therapy for older adults with age-related cognitive decline during COVID-19. Aging Ment Health. 2024 Dec;28(12):1676-1685. doi: 10.1080/13607863.2024.2364754. Epub 2024 Jun 23.

  PMID: 38910361 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Motor Activity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Central Study Contacts

Minjung Shim, PhD

CONTACT

267-359-5592; ms344@drexel.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 25, 2026
• First Posted: October 1, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): March 1, 2027
• Primary Completion (Estimated): January 31, 2031
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 30, 2031
• Last Updated: October 8, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-10

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)