Feasibility of a Physical Training Intervention With Music in Community-Dwelling Older Women: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

ABSTRACT

Physical activity performed with music activates important brain areas associated with cognition, emotions, and motor skills. Limited information is available on the feasibility and acceptability of physical activity and music interventions. The current study aimed to (a) determine the feasibility of a physical training intervention with music in older women, and (b) describe the differences between pretest and posttest variables (i.e., cognitive state, immediate memory, executive function, gait parameters [cadence and gait speed], muscle strength, flexibility, and symptoms of depression). Results suggest that the intervention with physical training and music was feasible, given the high acceptability and retention rates, high level of attendance at the sessions, and absence of adverse events. Significant improvements were observed in immediate memory (p ≤ 0.01), executive function (p ≤ 0.05), cadence (p ≤ 0.01), leg strength (p ≤ 0.01), right arm strength (p ≤ 0.01), left arm strength (p ≤ 0.05), symptoms of depression (p ≤ 0.01), and left lower body flexibility (p ≤ 0.05). Therefore, a randomized clinical trial with a larger sample could confirm the effects of this intervention on memory, executive function, cadence, leg strength, arm strength, symptoms of depression, and left lower body flexibility. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 48(11), 37-43.].