As Singapore’s population continues to age rapidly, the need for innovative, inclusive and evidence-based interventions has never been greater. In response, a team led by Dr Vivien Wu, Assistant Professor at NUS Nursing, has launched the Community Dance Program (CDP) — a first-of-its-kind, large-scale dance-based intervention aimed at improving the physical, cognitive and psychosocial well-being of pre-frail and mildly frail older adults.

A Joyful, Inclusive Approach to Healthy Ageing

Unlike traditional exercise routines, the CDP leverages the power of dance — combining structured movement, storytelling and rhythm — to promote holistic health in a joyful, culturally relevant and socially engaging manner. The program, co-developed by an interdisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, researchers and community partners, aligns with the goals of Active Ageing Centres (AACs) and national healthy ageing initiatives in Singapore.

“Dance is a powerful medium that combines physical activity, cognitive stimulation, and emotional expression,” says Dr Vivien Wu. “Through the Community Dance Program, we aim to not only promote healthy ageing, but also restore joy, dignity and social connection to the lives of older adults in our communities.”

From Pilot to Nationwide Potential

The CDP began as an 8-week pilot study in 2021–2022 across four AACs at the Lions Befrienders Service Association. The strong engagement and encouraging health outcomes from participants led to the expansion of the program. From 2024 to 2027, CDP is being scaled up across 10 AACs, with a 12-week curriculum co-designed with stakeholders, including older adults, student dance instructors and AAC staff.

Crucially, the program is integrated into NUS College’s “Dancing Communities” module (NHT2210), allowing NUS students to serve as trained dance instructors and engage in meaningful intergenerational learning experiences.

Early Feedback and Future Directions

With a target to reach over 260 older adults, the full-scale implementation of CDP is now underway. Preliminary findings from the pilot study and co-design workshops report increased mood, improved mobility and enhanced social connections among participants — reinforcing the program’s potential as a comprehensive healthy ageing strategy.

Looking ahead, the team plans to explore the island-wide implementation of CDP, development of digital training modules, and alignment with national fall-prevention and healthy ageing strategies. The long-term vision is to make dance-based interventions accessible, scalable and sustainable for broader community adoption.

A First in Singapore

This initiative marks Singapore’s first large-scale trial investigating dance as a health intervention for pre-frail and mildly frail older adults. It represents a meaningful shift in how ageing is approached in community settings — blending science, art and human connection.

The project is made possible through continued collaboration with the Agency for Integrated Care, AACs, and the NUS Centre for the Arts, reinforcing the shared mission to promote healthy and joyful ageing through community-based innovations.

Publications on CDP:

• Wu, X.V. et al. (2023). Qualitative Inquiry of a Community Dance Program for Older Adults in Singapore. Nursing & Health Sciences.
• Wu, X.V. et al. (2021). The effect of dance interventions on cognition, neuroplasticity, physical function, depression, and quality of life for older adults with mild cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Nursing Studies.