Latin Dance and Working Memory: The Mediating Effects of Physical Activity Among Middle-Aged and Older Latinos

Bibliographic Details
Title: Latin Dance and Working Memory: The Mediating Effects of Physical Activity Among Middle-Aged and Older Latinos
Authors: Susan Aguiñaga, Navin Kaushal, Guilherme M. Balbim, Robert S. Wilson, JoEllen E. Wilbur, Susan Hughes, David M. Buchner, Michael Berbaum, Edward McAuley, Priscilla M. Vásquez, Isabela G. Marques, Tianxiu Wang, David X. Marquez
Source: Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, Vol 14 (2022)
Publisher Information: Frontiers Media S.A., 2022.
Publication Year: 2022
Collection: LCC:Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
Subject Terms: cognition, exercise, disparities, dance, physical activity, Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry, RC321-571
More Details: BackgroundPhysical activity (PA) is a promising method to improve cognition among middle-aged and older adults. Latinos are at high risk for cognitive decline and engaging in low levels of PA. Culturally relevant PA interventions for middle-aged and older Latinos are critically needed to reduce risk of cognitive decline. We examined changes in cognitive performance among middle-aged and older Latinos participating in the BAILAMOS™ dance program or a health education group and compared the mediating effects of PA between group assignment and change in cognitive domains.MethodsOur 8-month randomized controlled trial tested BAILAMOS™, a 4-month Latin dance program followed by a 4-month maintenance phase. A total of 333 older Latinos aged 55+ were randomized to either BAILAMOS™, or to a health education control group. Neuropsychological tests were administered, scores were converted to z-scores, and specific domains (i.e., executive function, episodic memory, and working memory) were derived. Self-reported PA was assessed, and we reported categories of total PA, total leisure PA, and moderate-to-vigorous PA as minutes/week. A series of ANCOVAs tested changes in cognitive domains at 4 and 8 months. A mediation analysis tested the mediating effects of each PA category between group assignment and a significant change in cognition score.ResultsThe ANCOVAs found significant improvement in working memory scores among participants in the dance group at month 8 [F(1,328) = 5.79, p = 0.017, d = 0.20], but not in executive functioning [F(2,328) = 0.229, p = 0.80, Cohen’s d = 0.07] or episodic memory [F(2,328) = 0.241, p = 0.78, Cohen’s d = 0.05]. Follow-up mediation models found that total PA mediated the relationship between group assignment and working memory, in favor of the dance group (β = 0.027, 95% CI [0.0000, 0.0705]). Similarly, total leisure PA was found to mediate this relationship [β = 0.035, 95% CI (0.0041, 0.0807)].ConclusionA 4-month Latin dance program followed by a 4-month maintenance phase improved working memory among middle-aged and older Latinos. Improvements in working memory were mediated by participation in leisure PA. Our results support the current literature that leisure time PA influences cognition and highlight the importance of culturally relevant PA modalities for Latinos.Clinical Trial Registration[www.ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT01988233].
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 1663-4365
Relation: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2022.755154/full; https://doaj.org/toc/1663-4365
DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.755154
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/31ffcda4a710480eadf06770d56a3429
Accession Number: edsdoj.31ffcda4a710480eadf06770d56a3429
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:16634365
DOI:10.3389/fnagi.2022.755154
Published in:Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience
Language:English