Effects of Thai dance on balance in Thai elderly

Abstract

Background : The continuous progress in public health work results in an increasing number of the elderly, whose physical changes are unavoidable. The elderly also risk more of both chronic and acute illnesses, which in turn lead to loss of abilities in conducting their daily life, loss of physical equilibrium, and more risk of falling. Exercise has become an important element that can increase stability in balancing and decrease risks of falling. Thai dance is a type of exercise that is traditional and based on Thais’ ways of living. Researchers, therefore, believe that Thai dance should be an appropriate form of exercise for the elderly that can be performed sustainably and continuously.

Objectives : This research is to study the effect of Thai dance on balancing ability in Thai elderly.

Setting : Noen-Muang Center, Amphur Maung, Khon Kaen, Thailand

Design : Randomized controlled trial

Methodology : This is an experimental study on 38 female volunteers with an average age of 65.81 ± 5.09 years. They were divided into 20 participants in the Thai dance group and 18 participants in the control group. All participants were interview for their baseline information and examined according to the inclusion criteria before signing in as research participants. Then they underwent the Berg balance scale (BBS), the time up-and-go test (TUGT), and the functional reach test (FRT) prior to and 6 weeks after intervention. The Thai dance group practiced Thai dancing for a period of 40 minutes per session, 3 times per week for 6 weeks.

Results : The test on balance before and 6 weeks after Thai dancing exercise shows that the experimental group had a statistically significant increase in physical balance. BBS increased from 53.10 ± 1.97 points to 54.65 ± 1.35 points (p = 0.001), TUGT decreased from 10.21 ± 1.72 sec to 8.58 ± 1.37 sec (p = 0.001), and FRT increased from 23.68 ± 5.53 cm to 29.45 ± 5.77 cm (p = 0.001). The measurements of the control group were compared between before and 6 weeks after intervention. It was shown that the difference of physical balance was not statistically significant. BBS increased from 52.27 ± 1.77 points to 52.00 ± 1.97 points (p = 0.350), TUGT increased from 10.44 ± 1.58 sec to 10.72 ± 1.57 sec (p = 0.390), and FRT from 26.07 ± 3.94 cm to 26.17 ± 3.98 cm (p = 0.860). When the two groups were compared, the physical balance values were significantly different: BBS: from 52.00 ± 1.97 to 54.65 ± 1.34 points (p = 0.001); TUGT: from 10.72 ± 1.57 sec to 8.59 ± 1.37 (p = 0.001); and, FRT: from 26.17 ± 3.98 cm to 29.45 ± 5.77 cm (p = 0.001). Conclusion Thai dancing exercise can increase physical balance in the elderly.