Dancing is more than just fun—it may also bring real benefits to people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. A new study shows that taking part in regular dance classes helped ease mood problems and boosted memory and physical ability in a small group of older adults with dementia.
The study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, looked at 16 people (4 men and 12 women) who were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or related memory conditions. Half of them were randomly chosen to join a special dance program, while the other half took part in quiet group activities such as bingo, puzzles, crafts, board games, and card games.
The dance group took part in one-hour classes twice a week for three months at The Retreat, an adult day care center run by the Council on Aging of West Florida. The classes included six different routines, including steps from the Charleston and box step, all adapted to be safe and easy for participants with limited mobility.
None of the dance participants fell or lost their balance, which is important since balance issues are common in older adults, especially those with memory loss. Even when participants took breaks from dancing, researchers noticed they stayed involved—clapping, tapping their feet, and enjoying the music. The upbeat environment clearly lifted their spirits.
Caregivers also saw changes. Some reported that their loved ones would dance at home, even without music playing. Others noticed that dance routines learned in class seemed to stay in their memories. In fact, six out of eight dance participants could remember movements from at least three different routines, even weeks after learning them.
Rodney Guttmann, a biology professor at the University of West Florida and one of the researchers, said the study shows how physical movement like dance can be meaningful and helpful for people with dementia. “It’s exciting to see such a simple activity provide tangible benefits for both participants and caregivers,” he said.
Josh Newby, president and CEO of the Council on Aging, witnessed the classes firsthand. “The activity was so well-run and fun that I could see morale, comprehension, and physical ability improve in real time,” he said.
While the results are encouraging, the researchers say the small number of participants and limited number of classes mean that more research is needed before reaching firm conclusions. Larger studies with more frequent dance sessions could give stronger evidence about the benefits of dance for people with Alzheimer’s.
Still, the study offers an uplifting look at how music and movement can bring joy, connection, and even cognitive benefits to those living with memory loss. Dance, it seems, can offer more than just exercise—it can spark memories, encourage social interaction, and bring moments of happiness to people navigating a difficult condition.
If you care about brain health, please read studies about vitamin D deficiency linked to Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, and higher magnesium intake could help benefit brain health.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about antioxidants that could help reduce dementia risk, and coconut oil could help improve cognitive function in Alzheimer’s.
The research findings can be found in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
