Table 1.
Summary of the intervention studies.
| Author and Year | Title | Location | N | Age | Sex (%Female) | Research Purpose | Study Design (Method) | Outcome Variables | Intervention Duration | Intervention Frequency/Intensity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chen (2015) [42] | An experimental study on improving health fitness with square dancing for elder women | China, Bengbu | 179 | 60.8 | 100% | To investigate the changes of health fitness for female older adults after square dance training. | RCT | Health fitness levels | 6 months | 4 times/week; 90 min/session |
| Chen (2014) [33] | A study of the effects of a square dance exercise intervention on cognitive function in older adults | China | 125 | 66.73 | 48% | To explore the influence of the square dance movement on the cognitive function of older adults. | Pretest-post-test design | Cognitive function | 12 months | 4 to 5 times/week; 30 to 60 min/session, |
| Guo (2016) [34] | Efficacy of aerobic exercise training in the treatment of mild cognitive dysfunction in the elderly | Tangshan, China | 47 | 65.8 | 63.80% | To explore the impact of aerobic exercise intervention on patients’ cognitive function among older patients with cognitive dysfunction in urban communities. | RCT | Cognitive function | 3 months | 3 times /week; 60 min/session |
| Li et al. (2012) [51] | Study on the effect of different exercise modalities on the state of mind of the elderly | Hengyang, China | 120 | 60 | N/A | To explore the influence of different exercise methods (including square dance) on the mood of older adults and provide references for them to choose effective exercise methods and promote mental health. | RCT | Mood states | 6 months | 5 times/week, 45–60 min/session (exercise intensity was maintained within (170-age) based on the heart rate) |
| Li (2020) [31] | An experimental study on the effect of fitness ballroom dancing on the cognitive ability of the elderly | Shijiazhuang, China | 60 | 62.65 | 83.30% | To explore the effect of fitness dance on the cognitive ability of older adults. | RCT | Cognitive ability | 6 months | 3 times/week; 90 min/session |
| Li (2017) [37] | The effects of square dance exercise on older adults’ physical self-esteem and well-being | Pingdingshan, China | 60 | 61.8 | 50% | To explore the influence of square dance on physical self-esteem and well-being of older adults. | Pretest-post-test design | Body self-esteem and well-being | 3 months | 3 times/week, 40 or more mins/session |
| Li (2015) [50] | A Comparative Study of the Effects of Northeast Dayang Opera and Taijiquan on the Core Strength of Older Adults | China, Jilin | 90 | 62 | 50% | To analyze the influence of square dance on the core strength of older adults. | RCT | Functional fitness | 8 weeks | 6–7 times/week; 50–70 min/session |
| Luo et al. (2012) [41] | A study of the effects of different forms of exercise on the physical and mental health of the elderly | China | 120 | 63.3 | not mentioned | To explore the impact of different sports (including square dance) on the quality of life of older adults to provide a reference of effective exercise for them. | RCT | Physical and mental health | 6 months | 5 times/week; 45–60 min/session |
| Ma (2016) [30] | A study on the intervention model of aerobic dance and its effect on subjective well-being of middle-aged and elderly people | Shijiazhuang, China | 96 | 60 | 74.00% | To explore the intervention mode of aerobics dance and its effect on older adults’ subjective well-being. | RCT | Subjective well-being | 3 months | 4 times/week; 45–60 min/session |
| Xie et al. (2012) [40] | A study of the effects of 3 exercise modalities on the elderly beyond aging | Hengyang, China | 120 | 63.89 | N/A | To explore the impact of three physical exercise programs (including square dance) on gerotranscendence of older adults and provide information for them to select effective exercise. | RCT | Gerotranscendence | 6 months | 5 times/week, 45–60 min/session (The exercise intensity was maintained within (170-age) based on the heart rate) |
| Xue (2017) [49] | A study on the intervention of square dance on physical balance ability of the elderly | China, Hebei | 80 | 65 | 48.75% | To investigate the effect of square dance exercise, as an intervention tool, on the balance ability of older adults and provide a theoretical basis for better promotion of square dance to improve the balance ability of older adults. | RCT | Balance function | 3 months | 7 times/week; 75 min/session |