Dance as an Element of Prevention and Treatment of Falls, Depression and Dementia in the Geriatric Population

Abstract

Abstract Background Due to increasing life expectancy, the number of elderly people is increasing. This contributes to the increased incidence of geriatric syndromes, which lead to a loss of mobility, independence and worsens the quality of life. Aim The aim of this article is to review the literature on the use of dance training as a factor in reducing the risk of falls, depression and dementia in the elderly, and also in reducing the effects of these conditions. Material and Methods 40 articles were reviewed using PubMed, Google Scholar and ResearchGate databases published between 2008 and 2022. Conclusions Dancing can be an element of training, which, by improving coordination, balance and muscle strength, reduces the risk of falls among the elderly. By positively influencing the mood, creating opportunities to build new relationships or reducing the feeling of loneliness, it is one of the factors preventing the occurrence of depression and alleviating its symptoms. Although dancing increases the level of neurotrophic factors and increases the volume of the hippocampus, its effects on cognitive and executive functions are not fully understood. However, there are reports that it can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and alleviate anxiety in people with dementia, so the use of dance interventions seems to be a beneficial form of exercise among the elderly, especially since it does not require the use of specialized equipment and costs are not high.