Verification of The Effect of Cognitive Training by Dance

Introduction: Our preliminary trial revealed the correlation between cognitive ability and active ability, blood vessel age, and stress. From this result, a method to eliminate stress and favorably influence blood vessels and activity capacity was examined. We developed a method where elderly participants danced to familiar music while executing brain training tasks.
Methods: Verified method is a brain training developed from music therapy and dance. As brain training, the effectiveness of training tasks such as dual-task (performing two tasks simultaneously) and n-back task (recall task for items shown n steps earlier) have been verified. Additionally, methods developed in this study utilized "ostinato", a rendition often used in music such as folk music. This method repeats a short phrase multiple time. As it has a trait which makes it easy to retain and recall, a repeated melody which speeds up is easily retained in memory. Analysis in that is a comparison between intervention and control. Cognitive tests and stress checks were compared with a paired One-way analysis of variance.
Result: Data of 102 people were analyzed. In comparison to the control group, cognitive function was improved and distress was reduced in the intervention group. Scores of cognitive test items: immediate memory and recall delayed memory were significantly improved (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The brain training dance to familiar music improved cognitive abilities. This activity can relieve stress. Following this study, we want to evolve the brain training dance that elderly in various conditions can do and increase the volume of fun activities available to the elderly.