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TOPLINE:
A year-long, multitask exercise program incorporating dance and rhythm improved physical and mental function and reduced falls in older adults with sarcopenia.
METHODOLOGY:
- Researchers conducted a proof-of-concept study to determine if an intervention called Dalcroze eurhythmics (DE) improves physical performance after 12 months compared with a control group that did not exercise.
- DE is music-based and incorporates cognitive and physical elements but no strength training. The DE exercise intervention was supervised and group-based and lasted 1 hour, twice per week.
- At a single center, researchers randomly assigned 196 adults aged 65 years or older with sarcopenia (low muscle mass according to DEXA) to either the DE intervention group or a control group.
- The participants had a mean age of 75.2 years (89% women), and their mean BMI was 27. They also had a low physical performance ability based on a Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score of 3-10.
TAKEAWAY:
- DE led to greater improvements in SPPB score (adjusted difference [AD], 1.16; P < .001), handgrip strength (AD, 1.34 kg; P < .05), and the Trail Making Test Part B (AD, -13.68; P < .001), among other physical and cognitive measures.
- DE led to fewer falls (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.56; P = .033).
- An intervention-mediator interaction analysis showed no evidence that cognitive improvements mediated the improvements seen in physical outcomes or incidence of falls.
IN PRACTICE:
The study was a proof of concept, and researchers will conduct further studies to clarify the muscular benefits of DE training.
SOURCE:
The study was presented at the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research 2025 Annual Meeting.
LIMITATIONS:
There was heterogeneity in the definition of sarcopenia among participants, it was conducted at a single center, the sample size was small, and there were few men.
DISCLOSURES:
The authors had no disclosures or conflicts of interest.
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