Neurologic dance training and home exercise improve motor-cognitive dual-task function similarly, but through potentially different mechanisms, among breast cancer survivors with chemotherapy-induced neuropathy: Initial results of a randomized, controlled clinical trial

Background Dual-task function is compromised among individuals with prodromal Alzheimer's disease (AD) and others at risk of developing AD. While exercise has been studied as a therapeutic candidate, the activity of social dance might promote dual-task rehabilitation as well or better than conventional exercise. Objective Compare effects of social dance versus home exercise on dual-task function and intervention adherence among individuals with increased risk of developing AD: survivors of breast cancer (BC) with chemotherapy-induced neuropathy (CIN). Methods Fifty-two (n = 52) survivors of BC with CIN-related symptoms and functional deficits were randomized (1:1) to 8 weeks of biweekly physical activity that took the form of partnered AdapTango dance (20 min) or home exercise (45 min) (NCT05114005, registered 08/15/2021). Primary outcome: dual-task function (TUG-Cog counting backward by 3 s). Secondary outcome: adherence. Exploratory outcomes: participant rating of perceived exertion in physical versus cognitive domains and cognitive load during dual-task performance. Results Both interventions improved Timed-Up-and-Go with cognitive task (TUGCog) after 4 weeks ( p < 0.001); gains were maintained at 8 weeks of intervention ( p < 0.001) and 1 month follow-up ( p < 0.001). The dance intervention met adherence feasibility criteria for 8 weeks; exercise met criteria for 4 weeks. The ratio of cognitive to physical exertion was higher for dance (1 to 1) than exercise (0.8 to 1.0; p < 0.001). Dance, only, was associated with reduced cognitive load ( p = 0.02). Conclusions Among survivors of BC with CIN, small doses of social dance improved dual-task function comparably to larger doses of home exercise, possibly due to differences in cognitive engagement.