Social Connectedness through Dance

Observational Study

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Full study title: Social Connectedness through Dance (SoCoD)

What is the study about?

This study is fully online and looks at the effects of participating in 8 weeks of online dance classes with Dancing with Parkinson’s (DwP) on emotional well-being and social connectedness. DwP is a program that offers free, daily dance classes to promote physical and emotional benefits for individuals with Parkinson Disease (PD) and seniors aged above 55 years.

Social connectedness, defined as the experience of belonging to a social relationship or network, has been identified as a determinant of mental health in older adults. Research has shown that social connectedness is associated with better health outcomes. The primary goal of this study is to examine the impact of participating in online DwP classes on social connectedness, as well as the mental and cognitive health of older adults with previous depression, PD and healthy older adults. This study does not require any in-person visits.

Eligibility – Who can participate?

Participants must:

  • Be 55 years and older
  • Be proficient in English
  • Able to attend at least one online dance class a week for 8 weeks
  • Have been medically cleared by their physician to participate in an exercise program
  • Have stable medication dosages for at least one month prior to starting the study and are not expected to change for the duration of the study
  • Been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, OR
  • A history of depression but currently not depressed, OR
  • Are a healthy older adult

Time requirement

Participants will complete self-report demographics, medical history, mood and well-being questionnaires before starting the study, and after completing the study at 8 weeks. Additionally, participants will complete a self-report single-item scale to measure social connectedness at the end of each class throughout the 8 weeks. These online questionnaires will take place remotely and will require approximately 3-4 hours over the study period.

Compensation/reimbursement: $16.55/hour for completing the study questionnaires

TDRA study investigator

Drs. Linda Mah, Eugenie Roudaia, Malcolm Binns, Jean Chen, Claude Alain

TDRA Site:

Baycrest,

Address: 3560 Bathurst St, North York, ON M6A 2E1

Age Group:

Target Population:

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Disclaimer

The listing of a study on the Toronto Dementia Network (TDN) is for informational purposes only. The safety, efficacy or scientific validity of the studies listed here have not been evaluated by The Alzheimer Society of Toronto (AST) or the Toronto Dementia Research Alliance (TDRA). The TDRA is an academic coalition among the University of Toronto and four memory clinics across Toronto at Baycrest, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, and the University Health Network. The information collected will be kept and guarded by TDRA. Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Before you participate in a study, you should make sure you understand the risks and potential benefits and discuss all options with your health care provider(s).