Effect of Square Dance Exercise on Middle-aged and Older Women With Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD)

Abstract

Abstract Background: Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) is a disorder of vestibular dysfunction in which chronic dizziness leads to limitations in daily life. Although pharmacology, vestibular rehabilitation, and cognitive behavioral therapy have been suggested to have some efficacy, they have certain limitations. Some patients with PPPD report that square dance can effectively relieve the symptoms of dizziness and instability, and their mood also improves. However, to date, there has been no research about the effect of square dance Exercise on people of PPPD，not to mention the middle-aged and older women who are more interested in square dance. Objective: To evaluate the effects of square dance on the subjective sensations of dizziness, balance enhancement, anxiety, and depressive symptom regulation in middle-aged and older women with PPPD. Materials and Methods: In this trial, a total of 124 patients diagnosed with PPPD were enrolled, among whom 64 were randomly assigned to square dance training as the experimental group (EG), and the other 60 cases were the control group (CG) without square dance training. To evaluate the effect of square dancing on middle-aged and elderly women with PPPD, data from the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Active-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC), and Vestibular Disorder Activities of Daily Living Scale (VADL) were collected and compared at the beginning and at three and six months of the trial. Results: Before the trial, there were no significant differences between the EG and CG. Compared with baseline measures, DHI, HADS, ABC, and VADL scores improved as the experiment progressed, and the improvements were more pronounced in the EG. Conclusion: Square dance has a positive impact on the subjective sensation of dizziness, balance enhancement, anxiety, and depressive symptom regulation in middle-aged and older women with PPPD.