danceSing Care Evaluation: Testing the Effectiveness

Saliva samples will be obtained to determine free salivary cortisol. If the test is done around 9 AM, the results would be between 100 and 750 ng/dL. Any dysregulation, notably higher cortisol levels, may indicate poor health outcomes.

The HADS questionnaire has seven items each for depression and anxiety subscales. Scoring for each item ranges from zero to three, with three denoting highest anxiety or depression level. A total subscale score of >8 points out of a possible 21 denotes considerable symptoms of anxiety or depression. The range of scores for each of the two subscales (anxiety and depression) is 0-21, respectively.

It is a 16 item questionnaire, useful to the researchers and clinicians interested in fear of falling, with a score ranging from minimum 16 (no concern about falling) to maximum 64 (severe concern about falling).

5-point Likert-type scaling, with descriptors and cartoon illustrations of levels 1 through 5. Rating of "1" = no impairment, "5" = most impaired.

Using a 4-point rating scale (1= never; 4 = always), participants answer 6 questions, such as "How often do you feel left out?" and "How often do you feel part of a group of friends?" The rating given in answer to each of the questions are summed to form a total score. Thus the range of scores for the total is 6 to 24. A higher score is worse loneliness.

Individual scores on the PSS can range from 0 to 40 with higher scores indicating higher perceived stress.

9-item questionnaire (scoring 1 not satisfied to 4 very satisfied) to assesses the general population's sleep satisfaction.

The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) is a relatively simple test that can provide insight into walking speed, balance and leg strength, important factors for self-reliance, in a short period of time. The SPPB is increasingly used in the scientific literature as an outcome measure for mobility and a predictor of health outcomes. The test consists of three tests: a walking test, a balance test and a repeated chair-stand test. The scores range from 0 (worst performance) to 12 (best performance).

The purpose of the handgrip strength test is to measure the maximum isometric strength of the hand and forearm muscles, and is suggested to be a marker of health and longevity. Reported hand grip strengths markers: 41.7 and 25.9 kg, respectively, in men and women aged 60-64 years, 41.7 and 25.6 kg for ages 65-69 years, 38.2 and 24.2 kg for ages 70-74 years, and 28 and 18.0 kg for age >75 years, respectively.

The Fried's frailty phenotype defines frailty as the presence of five components: weakness, slowness, exhaustion, low physical activity, and unintentional weight loss. Scoring: ≥3/5 criteria met indicates frailty; 1-2/5 indicates pre-or-intermediate frailty; 0/5 indicates non-frail.

Saliva samples will be obtained to determine DHEAS. Any dysregulation, notably lower DHEAS levels, may indicate poor health outcomes. (Average levels: ages 60 to 69: 13 to 130 µg/dL or 0.35 to 3.51 µmol/L Ages 69 and older: 17 to 90 µg/dL or 0.46 to 2.43 µmol/L)

The researchers devised the semi-structured interview guide in consultation with the study advisory group and focused on the overview of what participants and activity coordinators thought of the programme, acceptability of the intervention and any benefits they derived, or barriers experienced. Thematic analysis by independent researchers was deductive, focusing on the progression criteria identified as key feasibility outcomes. Themes were then coded from the keywords and phrases found to be consistent throughout the interviews. Themes labelling was mostly in line with components of the progression criteria hence: Fidelity, Attendance and Retention.

Acceptability of the intervention as assessed by focus groups and semi-structured interviews - qualitative data collection and thematic analysis