Feasibility of a Randomized Controlled Trial to Test the Impact of African Dance on Cognitive Function and Risk of Dementia: the REACT! Study

Abstract

Today over 5 million people in the US have Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and this number is estimated to rise to 16 million by 2050 if a way to cure, prevent or slow the progress of AD is not found. The costs of providing care are staggering and by 2050 may reach $1.1 trillion1. African Americans carry a disproportionate burden since they may be two to three times more likely to have AD compared to non-Hispanic Caucasians. Despite this increased burden, they are less likely to be included in clinical trials. Given the enormous health disparity for AD, there are many efforts underway to identify strategies to recruit more African Americans into research studies on AD and to keep them involved2. REACT! was designed to address these issues.