BAILA - A Latin dance randomized controlled trial for older Spanish-speaking Latinos: Rationale, design, and methods

Background: Physical activity (PA) has documented health benefits, but older Latinos are less likely to engage in leisure time PA than older non-Latino whites. Dance holds a promise as a culturally appropriate form of PA that challenges individuals physically and cognitively. This paper describes a randomized controlled trial that will test the efficacy of BAILAMOS (c), a 4-month Latin dance program followed by a 4-month maintenance program, for improving lifestyle PA and health outcomes. Methods: Older adults (n = 332), aged 55+, Latino/Hispanic, Spanish speaking, with low PA levels, and at risk for disability will be randomized to one of two programs, a dance program or health education control group. BAILAMOS (c) is a 4-month program that meets two times per week for one 1 h per session. Dance sessions focus on instruction, including four styles of dance, and couples dancing. Bi-monthly (c) Fiestas de Balla (c) (dance parties) are also included, in which participants dance and practice what they have learned. Monthly 1-hour discussion sessions utilize a Social Cognitive framework and focus on knowledge, social support, and self-efficacy to increase lifestyle PA. The health education control group will meet one time per week for two 2 h per session. Outcomes: Primary outcomes including PA changes and secondary outcomes including self-efficacy, physical function, cognitive function, and disability will be assessed at baseline, 4, and 8 months. It is hypothesized that PA, self-efficacy, physical function, cognitive function, and functional limitations and disability scores will be significantly better in the BAILAMOS (c) group at 4 and 8 months compared to the control group. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.