764 - Enhancing the Well-being of Rural Appalachian Seniors: Exploring the Impact of Group Dance Classes on Physical Activity Awareness and Preferences

Friday, February 23, 2024

5:00 PM – 6:30 PM EDT

Presenting Author(s)

CF

Cambri L. Fox, OMS-III

Osteopathic Medical Student
Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Norton, Virginia, United States

Co-Author(s)

HC

Hannah Campbell, OMS-III

Osteopathic Medical Student
Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Macomb, Michigan, United States
KG

Kailtyn Gates, OMS-III

Osteopathic Medical Student
Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Harrogate, Tennessee, United States
MK

Meaghan Kuzmich, OMS-IV

Osteopathic Medical Student
Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Harrogate, Tennessee, United States
LM

Lori L. McGrew, PhD

Professor of Pharmacology
Lincoln Memorial University
Cumberland Gap, Tennessee, United States

Objectives: Rural Appalachian seniors have historically poor access to healthcare programs that have both physical and cognitive benefits. These studies aim to assess the understanding of, desire for, and preference of modality for dance classes in community senior centers.

Design: Over 14 months, from March 2022 to May 2023, 14 total dance classes were hosted at the Harrogate and Tazewell Tennessee senior centers. Throughout this duration, three studies were conducted in which participants aged 50 and older were asked to complete various questionnaires. The pilot study, held in the Spring of 2022, determined an understanding of the benefits of dance class. A follow-up study was conducted in Fall 2023 to assess perceived quality of life changes after participating in 12 consecutive weeks of once-weekly dance class. The final iteration in Spring 2023 evaluated the participants’ preferred delivery of the dance classes.

Results: The pilot study had 22 participants, with 21 stating they would like better access to similar programs. In the same survey, over 63% of participants were unaware of the emotional and social benefits of group dance classes. The follow-up study had six participants, wherein 50% indicated that they felt the dance classes improved their ability to manage their chronic conditions. In the final survey, 14 of the 15 participants stated they preferred any modality of dance exercise classes over other types of exercise.

Conclusions: Dance classes have been shown to reduce depression and anxiety, provide a social support system, and lessen motor symptom progression in neurodegenerative disorders. These studies suggest that rural Appalachian elders desire community-based programs, such as group dance classes, that address physical and cognitive health. Therefore, it is paramount to address rural aging health barriers by creating programs similar to this dance intervention that are more accessible to rural Appalachian seniors.