Path Analysis of Ja’i Dance on Fall Risk in Older Adults

Abstract

The aging process is linked to a decrease in cognitive and physical abilities, which can raise the risk of falls and decrease balance in older people. A new alternative physical workout method for reaching physical fitness is called dance movement therapy, or DMT. The Ja'i dance is a physical activity rooted in culture that combines motor coordination, musical rhythm, bodily movements, and mental stimulation. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, fall risk, cognitive function, balance, and Ja'i dance movement therapy in older adults. 32 senior participants were split into intervention and control groups using a randomized pretest-posttest controlled group design. For six weeks, the intervention group engaged in 30-minute Ja'i dance movement therapy sessions three times a week. The relationships between variables were evaluated using Structural Equation Modeling-Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS), with path coefficients, t-statistics, and p-values used to determine significance. Ja'i dance had a negative impact on BDNF levels (β = −0.403; p = 0.018) and a positive and significant impact on cognitive function (β = 0.354; p = 0.020). While balance had a negative and significant impact on fall risk (β = −0.486; p = 0.005), cognitive function had a positive and significant impact on balance (β = 0.315; p = 0.007). Along with alterations in BDNF levels, the investigation identified pathways connecting Ja'i dance to fall risk thru cognitive function and balance. Ja'i dance has the ability to improve cognitive and physical abilities and lower the risk of falls as a culture-based intervention.