Effect of Nine-Square Counting Dance on Physical and Cognitive Function in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Donlaya Phisitsettakorn; Janne Mia Schmidt; Chartnakrop Laksanakunlabutr; Natthaporn Muangsuk; Sithanan Promsri; Ampha Pumpho; Titi Phanjaroen; Theerasak Boonwang

doi:10.69650/ahstr.2026.4566

Authors

Donlaya Phisitsettakorn Department of Physical Therapy, School of Integrative Medicine, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7368-0279
Janne Mia Schmidt Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Business Management and Social Sciences, Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences, 49076, Germany
Chartnakrop Laksanakunlabutr Department of Physical Therapy, School of Integrative Medicine, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
Natthaporn Muangsuk Department of Physical Therapy, School of Integrative Medicine, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
Sithanan Promsri Department of Physical Therapy, School of Integrative Medicine, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
Ampha Pumpho Department of Physical Therapy, School of Integrative Medicine, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
Titi Phanjaroen Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Integrative Medicine, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
Theerasak Boonwang Department of Sports and Health Science, School of Health Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69650/ahstr.2026.4566

Keywords:

Exercise, Dancing, Alzheimer's, Balance, Older People

Abstract

The cognitive impairment was increasingly prevalent with advancing age and was associated with an elevated risk of falls, injury, functional decline, and cognitive impairment. This study aimed to investigate the impact of a four-week integrated intervention involving a nine-square dance and a counting program on physical function by the Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT), the five-times sit-to-stand test (FTSST), 10-meter walk test (10MWT), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and cognitive functioning by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in older adults diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment. A single-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted in Thailand, involving 38 older adults from the community, each aged 60 years or older. In a random selection process, participants were designated to either the control group (which participated in the nine-square dance: CONT) or a nine-square counting dance (NSCD) intervention. The finding indicated that the NSCD group demonstrated a positive effect of the intervention on the overall cognitive test in MMSE (mean change of 4.67 points, p < 0.001). Moreover, statistically significant differences were observed between the groups across all physical function outcome measures (p < 0.01 or p < 0.001), except for the 10MWT. Therefore, the nine-square counting dance intervention was more effective in enhancing cognitive and physical performance among older adults exhibiting mild cognitive impairment when compared to the nine-square dance modality alone.

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