A Feasibility Trial of a Bhangra Folk Dance Intervention to Improve Metabolic Health in Older Indian Women in the UK

You are invited to take part in a research project. Before you decide if you would like to take part, please read this information sheet carefully. You can also ask the lead researcher if you have any questions (please see contact details at the end of this sheet).

Title of Project: Investigating the feasibility of a twelve week Bhangra dance intervention on metabolic health, physical function and mental well-being among 40-70 years old adults identifying as coming from the Indian diaspora:

What is the purpose of the research? To understand whether a twelve-week Bhangra dance course has a positive influence on your metabolic health, physical function and mental well-being. To understand your experiences with the dance classes? What will participation in the project involve? This 12-week course of Bhangra dance, run by qualified instructors, consists of two classes a week and is free for you. Classes will run on Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:30pm for 45 minutes in dance room on the second floor of the Performance Hub, University of Wolverhampton, Walsall Campus. First aiders are on site if there are any mishaps or you get into trouble. Ideally we would love it if you did every class but we understand that this is probably not achievable. Also we don't expect you to stop doing other exercise, these classes can be an added extra.

As this is a research project we would like to collect some health information from you before and after the course. This will require you to come in to the University (Walsall Campus) to complete some tests and questionnaires, we will contact you to arrange a suitable day and time. There is also an opportunity to be a part of a discuss group so you can feedback about how you find the classes and you they are affecting you.

Questionnaires: These measure your quality of life including your mental wellbeing (Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale), your physical wellbeing (EQ-5D) and mental acuity (MMSE). You will also be asked every now and again to complete a short questionnaire on how you are feeling before and after a class (BRUMS).

Physical Health: Your blood pressure and body composition at the start and end of the course will be measured. The blood pressure uses an automatic machine that will be placed over your left upper arm. It will inflate and then slowly deflate. The body composition machine will require you to stand barefoot on some scales and hold onto a sensor with each hand. Two small blood samples (5ml) will be taken from your preferred arm by a trained phlebotomist. These will be used to measure a number of health markers including triglycerides, glucose and cholesterol.

Physical function: Your balance and muscle strength will be measured. The first uses the Y-balance test. You will be asked to stand at the centre of the Y on one leg and then reach with the opposite leg in the specified direction as far as possible, lightly touching the furthest point without losing balance. The strength test uses an isometric pull: you will stand on a platform with a chain attached to a bar. Holding onto the bar and keeping your arms straight participants will pull with your arms and push down with your legs as hard as possible for 3-5 seconds Why have I been invited to take part? You have been invited to take part in this study because you are between 40-70 years old and identify as coming from the Indian diaspora.

Do I have to take part? The decision to take part in the study is completely up to you and you can withdraw at any time without any consequences.

What will happen to the data I provide? Your data will be anonymised by providing you with a unique identifying code (UIC) and we will monitor how your data changes before and after the dance classes. Your personal data will be available to you at the end of the study What are the benefits and risks of taking part? There are minimum physical risks involved in partaking in a dance class but the use of qualified instructors will minimise this. The blood test may cause localised bruising around the area the sample is taken.

How will confidentiality be assured? Measures to ensure confidentiality include anonymization of data, your name and personal details will be substituted with a unique identity code. Only the Principal Investigator will have access to both. During the research, data will be stored in an encrypted file on the only device which belongs to the leading researcher. Afterwards, information linked to personal identity will be deleted and only the data related to the research will be preserved anonymously.

What will happen to the results of the research? If you volunteer for the project your results will also be used for to help inform future health interventions and the anonymous group data will also be used for conference presentation and journal publication(s).