It is showing incredible results.
A new study reveals that dancing can uplift the spirits of Alzheimer’s disease patients, showing positive responses to rhythmic movements. The research, published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, found that dance classes helped reduce agitation in a small group of individuals with Alzheimer’s and related dementias.
“This study emphasizes how movement-based interventions, like adapted dance, can meaningfully enhance both physical and emotional well-being for people with dementia,” said Rodney Guttmann, interim chair of biology at the University of West Florida, in a news release.
The study, conducted over three months at The Retreat, an adult day care program run by the Council on Aging of West Florida, involved 16 participants—four men and twelve women—who were living with Alzheimer’s or a similar form of dementia. Half of the group attended hour-long dance sessions twice a week, while the other half engaged in non-musical activities like bingo, puzzles, and crafts.
During the dance classes, participants learned six modified routines, such as the box step and Charleston, tailored to their physical abilities. Remarkably, all patients were able to dance without any balance issues or falls, and their moods improved even during rest breaks, with many clapping and tapping their feet along to the music.
Council on Aging President and CEO Josh Newby praised the sessions, stating, “I had the chance to witness the dancing multiple times, and it was clear that morale, comprehension, and physical ability among participants improved in real-time.”
In addition to lifting spirits, the study found that dance helped keep memory active. Six out of eight participants in the dance group were able to recall movements from at least three routines they had learned over the 12-week period. Caregivers also noted that their loved ones continued to dance outside of class, even without music playing.
“This simple activity brought tangible benefits to both participants and caregivers,” Guttmann said. However, the study’s small sample size and limited number of classes meant that researchers could not draw statistically significant conclusions about the broader effects of dance on dementia patients.
The researchers recommend that future studies increase the frequency of dance sessions and include a larger sample size to better assess the impact of dance interventions on dementia patients.
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