Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (  ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Find more clinical trials

Hula Lessons To Reduce Dementia Risk in Native Hawaiians and People With Pacific Islander Ancestry

Start: Sept. 15, 2022
End: April 2026
Enrollment: 192

What Is This Study About?

This study will test whether hula dance, as a culturally based exercise program, can reduce dementia risk factors and memory problems in people of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Island descent. Participants will be randomly assigned either to begin group hula lessons right away or to wait one year. After an initial assessment of cognition, physical, and mental health, all participants will attend a dementia risk education session. Hula lessons will begin with two one-hour classes each week for three months. Then for five months, the classes will occur once a month, with a weekly meeting with a peer health educator. Participants in the waitlist group will only receive the educational component of the program during the first year but will have the opportunity to complete the hula program the following year. Researchers will measure changes in cognitive function, mental health, blood pressure, diabetes blood markers, cholesterol, and body weight at three, eight, and 12 months.

Do I Qualify To Participate in This Study?

Minimum Age: 50 Years

Maximum Age: 75 Years

Must have:

  • Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander ancestry
  • Self-reported memory problems or mild cognitive impairment
  • Diagnosis of hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, or obesity (Body Mass Index 30)
  • Physically able to engage in moderate physical activity with doctors approval

Must NOT have:

  • Currently pregnant
  • Already actively practicing hula at least once per week
  • Diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia
  • Diagnosis of moderate to severe depression, based on clinical evaluation at screening

If I Qualify, Who Do I Contact?

Contact study personnel listed either under the general study contact or the location nearest you.

Study Contact
Janice K Worthington, MPH

Need Help?

Contact NIA’s Alzheimer’s and related Dementias Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center at 800-438-4380 or email ADEAR.

Where Is This Study Located?

Hawaii
Kula No Na Po'e
Honolulu, HI 96813
Recruiting
Adrienne Dillard, PhD
Kokua Kalihi Valley
Honolulu, HI 96819
Recruiting
Sheryl Yoshimura, RD
Hui No Ke Ola Pono
Wailuku, HI 96793
Recruiting
Malia Purdy, PhD

Who Sponsors This Study?

Lead: University of Hawaii

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05534607

alzheimers.gov

An official website of the U.S. government, managed by the National Institute on Aging at the National Institutes of Health