Dance and movement therapy in rehab: building capacity and wellbeing.

Mobility affects functional capacity and mental wellbeing

Empowering people through music and movement, improving their physical and mental health.

Research and practice-based evidence shows that dance & movement therapy for those rehabilitating from acute traumas such as stroke, accidents or injuries and chronic conditions has a positive effect on both physical and mental wellbeing.

Participants report improvements in mobility, flexibility, and fine and gross motor skills as well as reduction in chronic pain.

Participants also experience reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, a more positive mental state and greater self-esteem.

Dance offers a different perspective on rehabilitation through the use of breath, rhythm, play, complex and full body movement patterns and expression. 

The use of breath, rhythm and sensory techniques teaches participants self-regulation. Participants practice ways to build or dispel energy where required and maintain a positive focus on their abilities. This empowers people when dealing with pain and accepting their current capacities without judgement.

Choreographed sequences improve cognitive capacity and the unconscious mind/body connection. Neural pathways are built and strengthened by practicing and repeating complex movement patterns (seated or standing). This leads to a sense of mastery, self-efficacy and confidence.

Improvisation encourages participants to play with qualities of movements, building range of motion and interoception. Exploration of movement inspired by sports, musical instruments, characters, shapes and many other topics brings out the individuality and expressive capacities of participants.

Movement metaphors highlight the functionality of movements as well as raising smiles and connecting with participants day to day lives. Examples include:

• Ability to step aside when faced with a sudden obstacle

• Reaching for items without losing balance

• Grasping utensils

• Chopping food

• Maintaining range of motion for self-care

Research:

Dance and MS 

Davis E, Webster A, Whiteside B, Paul L. Dance for Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review. Int J MS Care. 2023 Jul-Aug;25(4):176-185.

NewLifeOutlook MS: The Benefits of Dance Therapy for MS  

Dance and Parkinsons

Earhart GM. Dance as therapy for individuals with Parkinson disease. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2009 Jun;45(2):231-8. PMID: 19532110; PMCID: PMC2780534.

Kalyani HH, Sullivan KA, Moyle GM, Brauer SG, Jeffrey ER, Kerr GK. Dance improves symptoms, functional mobility and fine manual dexterity in people with Parkinson disease: a quasi-experimental controlled efficacy study. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2020 Oct;56(5):563-574.

Dance and stroke

Patterson, K. K., Wong, J. S., Nguyen, T. U., & Brooks, D. (2018). A dance program to improve gait and balance in individuals with chronic stroke: a feasibility study. Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation, 25(6), 410–416. 

Dance and COPD

Kaya M, Gurses HN, Ucgun H, Okyaltirik F. Effects of creative dance on functional capacity, pulmonary function, balance, and cognition in COPD patients: A randomized controlled trial. Heart Lung. 2023 Mar-Apr;58:13-20.

Wshah A, Butler S, Patterson K, Goldstein R, Brooks D. "Let's Boogie": FEASIBILITY OF A DANCE INTERVENTION IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE. J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev. 2019 Sep;39(5):E14-E19. 

Zuo X, Lou P, Zhu Y, Chen B, Zhu X, Chen P, Dong Z, Zhu X, Li T, Zhang P. Effects of expressive art therapy on health status of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a community-based cluster randomized controlled trial. Ther Adv Respir Dis. 2022 Jan-Dec;16:17534666221111876. 

Dance and CPC

Hickman B, Pourkazemi F, Pebdani RN, Hiller CE, Fong Yan A. Dance for Chronic Pain Conditions: A Systematic Review. Pain Med. 2022 Dec 1;23(12):2022-2041. 

Dance and wellbeing: QoL (functional capacity, balance, mobility) in ageing populations

Cruz-Ferreira A, Marmeleira J, Formigo A, Gomes D, Fernandes J. Creative Dance Improves Physical Fitness and Life Satisfaction in Older Women. Res Aging. 2015 Nov;37(8):837-55. 

Hwang PW, Braun KL. The Effectiveness of Dance Interventions to Improve Older Adults' Health: A Systematic Literature Review. Altern Ther Health Med. 2015 Sep-Oct;21(5):64-70. PMID: 26393993; PMCID: PMC5491389.

Joung HJ, Lee Y. Effect of Creative Dance on Fitness, Functional Balance, and Mobility Control in the Elderly. Gerontology. 2019;65(5):537-546. doi: 10.1159/000499402. Epub 2019 May 3. PMID: 31055579.

Rodrigues-Krause J, Krause M, Reischak-Oliveira A. Dancing for Healthy Aging: Functional and Metabolic Perspectives. Altern Ther Health Med. 2019 Jan;25(1):44-63. PMID: 29428927.