Resilience improvement through a multicomponent physical and cognitive intervention for older people: the DanzArTe emotional well-being technology project.

Background: Resilience is a crucial component of successful aging. However, which interventions might increase resilience in older adults is yet unclear.

Aims: This study aims to assess the feasibility and the physical and psychological effects of a technology-based multicomponent dance movement intervention that includes physical, cognitive, and sensory activation in older people living in community-dwelling and nursing home.

Methods: DanzArTe program consists of four sessions on a weekly basis, using a technological platform that integrates visual and auditory contents in real time. 122 participants (mean age = 76.3 ± 8.8 years, 91 females = 74.6%) from seven nursing homes and community-dwelling subjects were assessed, before and after the intervention, with the Resilience Scale-14 items (RES-14), the Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI), the Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWBI-S), and the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8 (CSQ-8). Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon signed-ranks tests were used for statistical analyses.

Results: At baseline significant differences in MPI and RES-14 between community-dwelling and nursing home residents were observed (p < 0.001 for both analyses). After the intervention, resilience significantly increased in total sample (RES-14 mean T1 = 74.6 Vs. T2 = 75.7) and in the nursing home residents (RES-14 mean T1 = 68.1 Vs. T2 = 71.8). All participants showed high overall satisfaction for DanzArTe program (CSQ-8 mean = 23.9 ± 4.4). No differences in MPI and PGWBI-S were observed.

Discussion: DanzArTe was a feasible intervention and high appreciated by all older adults. Nursing home residents revealed improvements in resilience after DanzArTe program.

Conclusion: The DanzArTe technology-based multi-component intervention may improve resilience in older people living in nursing homes.