Community-based square dancing is associated with improved physical and mental health in older adults: a 12-week randomized controlled trial in China.

BACKGROUND

Population aging poses significant public health challenges, particularly in maintaining physical and mental wellbeing among older adults. Square dance, a culturally embedded group exercise in China, may offer a practical strategy to enhance functional, psychological, and social health in community-dwelling older adults.

METHODS

A 12-week single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted among 150 older adults (60-79 years), randomly allocated to a Square Dance Intervention Group (n = 75) or a Health Education Control Group (n = 75). The intervention comprised three 60-min sessions weekly. Assessments were conducted at baseline, Week 6, and Week 12. Outcomes included aerobic endurance (6MWT), balance (TUG), flexibility, blood pressure, depressive and anxiety symptoms (GDS-15, GAD-7), wellbeing (WHO-5), and quality of life (SF-12). Intention-to-treat mixed-effects models were used for analysis.

RESULTS

Compared with controls, the intervention group achieved significantly greater improvements in 6MWT (+41.5 m), TUG (-1.05 s), flexibility (+3.2 cm), systolic (-3.8 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (-2.4 mmHg). Depressive symptoms (-1.5 points), anxiety (-1.2 points), WHO-5 (+3.8 points), and SF-12 PCS/MCS (+3.1 and +3.4 points) also improved significantly. Adherence was high (87%), with no serious adverse events reported.

DISCUSSION: The findings provide strong evidence that a culturally relevant group-based square dance program enhances functional capacity, emotional wellbeing, cardiovascular health, and overall quality of life in older adults. Its high feasibility, safety, and acceptability suggest strong potential for widespread community implementation as a low-cost healthy aging strategy.