Affiliations: [a] Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Physical Education, Cracow, Poland
| [b] Department of Clinical Rehabilitation, University of Physical Education, Cracow, Poland
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Katarzyna Filar-Mierzwa PhD, Department of Occupational Therapy, University School of Physical Education, Al. Jana Pawła II 78, 31-571 Cracow, Poland. Tel.: +48 12 683 11 02; Fax: +48 12 683 13 00; E-mail: [email protected].
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of dance therapy on selected hematological and rheological indicators in older women. METHODS: The study included 30 women (aged 71.8±7.4), and the control group comprised of 10 women of corresponding age. Women from the experimental group were subjected to a five-month dance therapy program (three 45-minute sessions per week); women from the control group were not involved in any regular physical activity. Blood samples from all the women were examined for hematological, rheological, and biochemical parameters prior to the study and five months thereafter. RESULTS: The dance therapy program was reflected by a significant improvement of erythrocyte count and hematocrit. Furthermore, the dance therapy resulted in a significant increase in the plasma viscosity, while no significant changes in glucose and fibrinogen levels were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Dance therapy modulates selected hematological parameters of older women; it leads to increase in erythrocyte count and hematocrit level. Dance therapy is reflected by higher plasma viscosity. Concentrations of fibrinogen and glucose are not affected by the dance therapy in older women, suggesting maintenance of homeostasis. Those findings advocate implementation of dance therapy programs in older women.
