Many older adults in Ireland have a chronic condition, low levels of physical activity and experience loneliness and social isolation. The unprecedented consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, lead to cocooning measures, non-essential contact and social distancing measures, impacting on physical activity levels, deconditioning and social isolation. There is a lack of community-based activities for older people that are tailored, fun, support social connectedness and provide achievable physical benefits, that impact on health and wellbeing. Dance is both an art and a form of exercise, which has been shown to promote wellbeing, reduce social isolation and can improve movement and balance. Musical activities have also been found to improve well-being and reduce social isolation and loneliness. However, we do not yet have enough evidence to demonstrate that these programmes can work in practice in Ireland. The Music and Movement for Health is a pragmatic, cluster randomised, controlled feasibility trial that is examining the feasibility of a music and movement study and programme, and its effect on function, social isolation, loneliness and quality of life measures in older adults. This application relates to a qualitative study that aims to explore participants’ expectations, views and beliefs on the Music and Movement for Health study including acceptability of the study processes, their opinions/experiences of the intervention and any facilitators and barriers to participation.
