danceSing Care Evaluation: Testing the Effectiveness

Change From Baseline Fear of Falling Using the Falls Efficacy Scale - International (Short Form)(FES-I)

It is a 16 item questionnaire, useful to the researchers and clinicians interested in fear of falling, with a score ranging from minimum 16 (no concern about falling) to maximum 64 (severe concern about falling).

Time frame: Before and 1 month after completion of the 12-week intervention period.

Change From Baseline Activities of Daily Living and Health-related Quality of Life Using The Dartmouth COOP Charts

5-point Likert-type scaling, with descriptors and cartoon illustrations of levels 1 through 5. Rating of "1" = no impairment, "5" = most impaired.

Time frame: Before and 1 month after completion of the 12-week intervention period.

Change From Baseline Psychosocial Wellbeing Using the Brief UCLA Loneliness Scale (ULS-6)

Using a 4-point rating scale (1= never; 4 = always), participants answer 6 questions, such as "How often do you feel left out?" and "How often do you feel part of a group of friends?" The rating given in answer to each of the questions are summed to form a total score. Thus the range of scores for the total is 6 to 24. A higher score is worse loneliness.

Time frame: Before and 1 month after completion of the 12-week intervention period.

Change From Baseline Psychosocial Wellbeing Using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)

Individual scores on the PSS can range from 0 to 40 with higher scores indicating higher perceived stress.

Time frame: Before and 1 month after completion of the 12-week intervention period.

Change From Baseline Sleep Satisfaction Using the National Sleep Foundation's Sleep Satisfaction Tool (SST)

9-item questionnaire (scoring 1 not satisfied to 4 very satisfied) to assesses the general population's sleep satisfaction.

Time frame: Before and 1 month after completion of the 12-week intervention period.

Change From Baseline Physical Function Using the Short Performance Battery

The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) is a relatively simple test that can provide insight into walking speed, balance and leg strength, important factors for self-reliance, in a short period of time. The SPPB is increasingly used in the scientific literature as an outcome measure for mobility and a predictor of health outcomes. The test consists of three tests: a walking test, a balance test and a repeated chair-stand test. The scores range from 0 (worst performance) to 12 (best performance).

Time frame: Before and 1 month after completion of the 12-week intervention period.

Change From Baseline Physical Function Using Hand Grip Strength

The purpose of the handgrip strength test is to measure the maximum isometric strength of the hand and forearm muscles, and is suggested to be a marker of health and longevity. Reported hand grip strengths markers: 41.7 and 25.9 kg, respectively, in men and women aged 60-64 years, 41.7 and 25.6 kg for ages 65-69 years, 38.2 and 24.2 kg for ages 70-74 years, and 28 and 18.0 kg for age \>75 years, respectively.

Time frame: Before and 1 month after completion of the 12-week intervention period.

Change From Baseline Physical Function Using Fried Frailty Phenotype Criteria

The Fried's frailty phenotype defines frailty as the presence of five components: weakness, slowness, exhaustion, low physical activity, and unintentional weight loss. Scoring: ≥3/5 criteria met indicates frailty; 1-2/5 indicates pre-or-intermediate frailty; 0/5 indicates non-frail.

Time frame: Before and 1 month after completion of the 12-week intervention period.

Change From Baseline Salivary DHEAS Levels at 12 Weeks

Saliva samples will be obtained to determine DHEAS. Any dysregulation, notably lower DHEAS levels, may indicate poor health outcomes. (Average levels: ages 60 to 69: 13 to 130 µg/dL or 0.35 to 3.51 µmol/L Ages 69 and older: 17 to 90 µg/dL or 0.46 to 2.43 µmol/L)

Time frame: Before and 1 month after completion of the 12-week intervention period.

Acceptability of the Intervention Assessed by Interviews

The researchers devised the semi-structured interview guide in consultation with the study advisory group and focused on the overview of what participants and activity coordinators thought of the programme, acceptability of the intervention and any benefits they derived, or barriers experienced. Thematic analysis by independent researchers was deductive, focusing on the progression criteria identified as key feasibility outcomes. Themes were then coded from the keywords and phrases found to be consistent throughout the interviews. Themes labelling was mostly in line with components of the progression criteria hence: Fidelity, Attendance and Retention.

Time frame: 1 month after completion after the completion of the 12-week intervention period