Online Mindfulness-Based Dance/Movement Therapy to boost activity and well-being in older adults
Official title: Evaluating the Effects of Online Group Mindfulness-based Dance/Movement Therapy on Physical Activity and Whole-Person Health in Older Adults
Funded at Drexel University · NIH-11359288 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new online program combines mindfulness with dance/movement therapy to help adults 65+ stay physically active and feel better overall.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Drexel University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | August 5, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $677,044 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AT013255-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11359288 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 65 and older who are sedentary or have low physical activity levels and are able to participate in online group sessions.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals with severe mobility limitations or contraindications to moderate physical activity may see limited or no benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests an online Mindfulness-based Dance/Movement Therapy (M-DMT) program designed for sedentary adults aged 65 and older. Participants will be randomly assigned to the online M-DMT intervention or a comparison health education program, with physical activity and well-being measured over time. The approach blends mindful movement, creative expression, and social support to foster enjoyable, self-directed activity. Researchers will use a mixed-methods design to capture both numeric activity data and participants’ experiences. If successful, this program could be a scalable way to improve physical and cognitive health in aging populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the intervention works, older adults could experience more physical activity, better overall health, and improved quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research supports mindfulness and movement therapies individually; combining them online for older adults is a promising but relatively novel approach with early positive signals.
Where this research is happening
-
Drexel University
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shim, Minjung — Drexel University
- Study coordinator: Shim, Minjung
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.