JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Multidomain interventions have demonstrable benefits in promoting healthy aging, but self-empowerment strategies to sustain long-term gains remain elusive.

Objective:

This study evaluated the effects of digital somatosensory dance game participation on brain imagery changes and measures related to healthy aging.

Methods:

Between August 31, 2020, and June 27, 2021, this randomized controlled trial recruited 60 eligible participants aged over 55 years, with no recent engagement in digital dance games. A computer-generated randomization sequence was used to allocate participants 1:1, without stratification, to an intervention group (n=30) that did digital somatosensory dance game training, or a control group (n=30). An anonymized code masked intervention allocations from investigators, and individuals who assigned interventions were not involved in analyzing study data. The intervention entailed two 30-minute dance game sessions/week for 6 months and the control group received healthy aging education. Primary outcomes included brain imagery changes and secondary outcome included cognitive performance, physical and mental health. All variables were measured at baseline and 6-month follow-up, and intervention effects were estimated using the T test with Intent to treat.

Results:

Compared to controls, intervention participants had significantly brain imagery different in the GMV of the left putamen (0.02, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.02, p<0.001), left pallidum (0.02, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.03, p=0.008), and fALFF of the left pallidum (0.02, 95% CI 0.01to 0.03, p=0.006). Additionally, the cerebellum VI GMV (0.01, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.02, p=0.018)had difference in intervention participants. The intervention group also had improved total MoCA (1.2, 95% CI 0.27 to −2.13, p<0.012), quality of life (7.08,95%CI 2..35-11.82, P=.004) and time on weekdays spent sitting (−1.96, 95% CI −3.33 to −0.60, p=0.005). Furthermore, dance performance exhibited significantly associated with cognitive performance, health status, resilience , and demoralization (P<0.05).

Conclusions:

Digital somatosensory dance game participation for 6 months had brain imagery change in multiple regions involving somatosensory, motor, visual, and attention functions, which were consistent with phenotypic improvements associated with healthy aging. Clinical Trial: This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05411042.