Findings from a pragmatic cluster randomised controlled feasibility trial of a music and dance programme for community dwelling older adults

Amanda M Clifford; Pui-Sze Cheung; Nicola O' Malley; Steven Byrne; Aoife Whiston; Brendan Kennelly; Tumeliwa Mphepo; Zohreh Eshghimanesh; Lehana Thabane; Quinette Louw; Hilary Moss; Rosemary Joan Gowran; Desmond O' Neill; Liam Glynn; Catherine B Woods; Catherine Maher; Ali Sheikhi; Jon Salsberg; Orfhlaith Ni Bhriain

doi:10.1016/j.archger.2024.105371

Findings from a pragmatic cluster randomised controlled feasibility trial of a music and dance programme for community dwelling older adults

Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2024 Jul:122:105371. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2024.105371. Epub 2024 Feb 24.

Authors

Amanda M Clifford¹, Pui-Sze Cheung², Nicola O' Malley³, Steven Byrne⁴, Aoife Whiston⁵, Brendan Kennelly⁶, Tumeliwa Mphepo⁶, Zohreh Eshghimanesh⁷, Lehana Thabane⁸, Quinette Louw⁹, Hilary Moss¹⁰, Rosemary Joan Gowran¹¹, Desmond O' Neill¹², Liam Glynn¹³, Catherine B Woods¹⁴, Catherine Maher¹⁵, Ali Sheikhi⁷, Jon Salsberg¹³, Orfhlaith Ni Bhriain¹⁰

Affiliations

¹ School of Allied Health, Ageing Research Centre, University of Limerick, Limerick, V94T9PX, Ireland; Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland; Division of Physiotherapy, Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa. Electronic address: amanda.clifford@ul.ie.
² School of Allied Health, Ageing Research Centre, University of Limerick, Limerick, V94T9PX, Ireland; Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland; Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick, Limerick, V94DK18, Ireland.
³ School of Allied Health, Ageing Research Centre, University of Limerick, Limerick, V94T9PX, Ireland; Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
⁴ School of Allied Health, Ageing Research Centre, University of Limerick, Limerick, V94T9PX, Ireland; Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland; Department of Nursing & Midwifery, University of Limerick, Ireland.
⁵ School of Allied Health, Ageing Research Centre, University of Limerick, Limerick, V94T9PX, Ireland.
⁶ Cairnes School of Business and Economics, University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland.
⁷ Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
⁸ Department of Health Research Methods, McMaster University, Hamilton ON, Canada; Research Institute of St Joe's Hamilton, St Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton ON, Canada; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa.
⁹ Division of Physiotherapy, Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.
¹⁰ Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland; Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick, Limerick, V94DK18, Ireland.
¹¹ School of Allied Health, Ageing Research Centre, University of Limerick, Limerick, V94T9PX, Ireland; Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland; Assisting Living and Learning (ALL) Institute, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Ireland.
¹² Centre for Ageing, Neuroscience and the Humanities, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
¹³ Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland; School of Medicine, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
¹⁴ Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland; Physical Activity for Health Research Cluster, Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
¹⁵ Rehabilitation Unit, Community Hospital of the Assumption, HSE, Thurles, Tipperary, Ireland.

PMID: 38471410
DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2024.105371

Abstract

Introduction: Functional decline, chronic illness, reduced quality of life and increased healthcare utilisation are common in older adults. Evidence suggests music and dance can support healthy ageing in older adults. This study explored the feasibility, potential for effect and cost effectiveness of the Music and Movement for Health (MMH) programme among community-dwelling older adults using a pragmatic cluster-randomised, controlled feasibility trial design.

Methods: Community-dwelling adults aged 65 years or older were recruited to seven clusters in the Mid-West region of Ireland. Clusters were block randomised to either the MMH intervention or control. Primary feasibility outcomes included recruitment, retention, adherence, fidelity, and safety. Secondary outcomes measured physical activity, physical and cognitive performance, and psychosocial well-being, along with healthcare utilisation were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks.

Results: The study successfully met feasibility targets, with recruitment (n = 100), retention (91 %), adherence (71 %), data completeness (92 %) and intervention fidelity (21 out of 24) all meeting predetermined criteria. Both groups exhibited an increase in self-reported physical activity and improved physical function. Participants in the intervention group scored consistently better in psychosocial measures compared to the control group at follow-up. The health economic analysis confirmed the feasibility of the methodology employed and points to the potential cost-effectiveness of the MMH relative to the control or no organised programme.

Discussion and implications: The MMH intervention and study design were found to be feasible and acceptable with important findings to inform future evaluation of the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a definitive randomised controlled trial.

Keywords: Arts-based intervention; Community-dwelling older adults; Dance; Health and wellbeing; Music therapy.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial
Pragmatic Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Dance Therapy / methods
Dancing / psychology
Exercise
Feasibility Studies*
Female
Healthy Aging / psychology
Humans
Independent Living*
Ireland
Male
Music Therapy / methods
Quality of Life