Effects of a home-based low-to-moderate-intensity dance exercise program on glycemic control and quality of life in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes: a single-arm, intervention study

TL;DR

A home-based dance program improved blood sugar control and quality of life in elderly type 2 diabetes patients.

Contribution

This study shows that unsupervised home dance exercise can effectively manage diabetes in older adults.

Findings

Significant reductions in HbA1c, BMI, and blood pressure were observed after 12 weeks.

Quality of life improved across multiple domains including vitality and mental health.

Abstract

Exercise therapy improves glycemic control and reduces cardiovascular risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, access to professionally supervised programs is limited, particularly for older adults. Home-based, weather-independent, exercise options have yet to be investigated in detail.

The present study examined the effects of a self-directed, low-to-moderate intensity dance exercise program performed at home on glycemic control and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in older adults with T2D.

In this single-arm, intervention study, 20 elderly patients with T2D (median age, 70.5 years) participated in a standardized, unsupervised, home-based, aerobic dance program (“DaredeMo Dance”) for at least 20 min per day for 12 weeks. The program was designed to be of low-to-moderate intensity, namely < 4 metabolic equivalents (METs). Primary outcomes were changes in HbA1c, glycoalbumin (GA), and HRQOL (assessed using SF-36v2). Secondary outcomes included body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), and fasting plasma glucose (FPG).

After 12 weeks, significant improvements were observed in BMI (23.4 to 23.2 kg/m2, P = 0.002), systolic BP (134.0 to 125.0 mmHg, P = 0.004), diastolic BP (72.0 to 67.5 mmHg, P = 0.040), HbA1c (7.3 to 7.0%, P = 0.0012), and FPG (150 to 140 mg/dL, P = 0.034). HRQOL improved in all eight domains of SF-36v2, with significant improvements in Bodily Pain, General Health, Vitality, and Mental Health.

A standardized, indoor, low-to-moderate intensity, dance program improved glycemic control and HRQOL in older adults with T2D. This approach offers a safe, accessible, and sustainable exercise option for those with limited access to professional guidance.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13340-025-00854-6.