Dance for Health Research Study
A Spectrum of Dance Engagement on
THE Physical/Mental Health and
Quality-of-Life with Older Adults
Loneliness and social isolation may be a significant reason why nearly all American adults aged 50 or older interact with the health care system in some way.
According to a National Academies Press 2020 study: social isolation significantly increased a person’s risk of premature death from all causes, and loneliness was associated with greater risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, and anxiety. (1)
The 2023 U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory found that one-in-two U.S. adults reported experiencing loneliness, and that the mortality impact of being socially disconnected is even greater than obesity and physical inactivity. (2)
Significantly, only 25% of American adults participate in dance in some way. (3) Yet dance, by expressing personal, social, and cultural information, communicates and facilitates social bonds. (4)
Colleagues at Aalborg University in Denmark embarked on a 2021 study investigating online interventions (one exercise classes, the other dance instruction) and fall reduction in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. (5) In addition to increased dynamic postural control among the dance participants, an unexpected result showed gains in decreased loneliness.
Building on the Danish study, the Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, in partnership with Rush University Medical Center, Rush Generations, and the City of Chicago Department of Family and Support Services Regional Senior Centers, is conducting a research study that aims to identify the effect of a spectrum dance interventions on loneliness and quality of life in older adults.
The dance interventions included 10-weeks of twice weekly dance classes in Ballet/Modern, Hip Hop, Latin, Tap and West African at five City of Chicago Regional Senior Centers: Downtown Renaissance Court Senior Center, Northeast Levy Senior Center, Northwest Copernicus Senior Center, Southeast Atlas Senior Center and Southwest Senior Center. At the sixth, Central West Regional Senior Center, the dance intervention was a 10-week, once-a-week, dance co-creation workshop that culminated in a performance at the Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago.
Study participants saw three matinee dance concerts presented at the Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago: the week prior to the start of the classes and workshops, the week after the conclusion of the classes and workshops, and six weeks after the conclusion of the classes and workshops. The performances featured:
CADENCE: Experiencing Time/ Embodying Rhythm Symposium Matinee: Riddims, Beats & Vibez with Lady Sol & Mentees Featuring The Kuumba Felines, On a Clear Day by Jimmy Payne, Jr., Let Me Know When You Get Home by Joey Martinez, Ellas Y Yo Mexicanas: Frida by Silvita Diaz Brown, Vantage Point by Nautica Turner-Briscoe - September 20, 2024.
PAMOJA: Repertory Performance Works: Ain’t No Stopping Us Now by The Ageless Dancers of Central West Senior Center, Sky Blues by Darrell Jones, I’m Never Alone: The Dance We Did Together by Bevara Anderson, Mural Dances by Rachel Damon, Salsa/Molho De Casa by Allen Desterhaft and Kelsa Rieger-Haywood, and Approval at High Noon by Kia Smith - December 13, 2024.
Organismo by Maraña (presented in partnership with the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival) - January 24, 2025.
“This was stupendous. I loved the artistry and energy. Makes me wish I was 40 years younger (or maybe 50). It was great.””
“Once again we seniors enjoyed today’s dance session thoroughly. The (West African) instructor and the drummer were both awesome! My heartfelt gratitude to you for making me feel that I can dance.””
“Very good class and lots of fun. (Hip Hop) Instructor knowledgeable and guided us to dance freely even tho’ we started out timid. Love dancing and learned so much.””
“I was intimidated thinking about doing ballet, but the instructor made it easy with clear slow instructions and fun music!””
“gracias por darse su tiempo para nosotros los de la tersera edad” (“Thank you for giving your time to us, those of the younger age.”)”
“Awesome (Latin Dance) instructor. Really enjoyed class, I was a fitness instructor and she wore me out. It was great!””
The Dance For Health Research Study has been reviewed and granted Institutional Review Board approval from Columbia College Chicago and Rush University.
Chair of Columbia College Chicago IRB Committee: Tim McCaskey, PhD
Rush University Office of Research Affairs (ORA), Clinical Trials Office (CTO): Chrystal Johnston, MS, Director
The Dance For Health Research Study is supported in part by a National Endowment for the Arts Research Grant, Alphawood Foundation, and The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation.
To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.
