Music and Dance: Tools for Reality Orientation
Beckie Karras in “You Bring Out the Music in Me”: Music in Nursing Homes, 2012
The link between dance and programmatic RO is not obvious and there is little in the current literature on the subject. Dance therapy is defined by the American Dance Therapy Association as the “nonverbal psychotherapeutic use of expressive movement as a process which attempts to further the emotional and physical well-being, integration and functioning of people” (ADTA 1973). The main focus of dance therapy is to “encourage people to communicate at a nonverbal level, which will lead to verbal discussion” (Burnside 1984). Dance therapy technique encompasses exercise, music, dance, song, touch, structured and improvisational group and individual movement patterns, as well as the use of tactile stimuli and props. It is a broad discipline which can be successfully integrated into the RO technique.
The Relaxation SystemTherapeutic Modalities
Len Wisneski in The Scientific Basis of Integrative Health, 2017
Dance therapy, much like art therapy, is used to help the individual uncover unexpressed or blocked emotions. The modality is particularly suited to the person who is more sensate oriented, but may be inappropriate for some patients with extreme physical limitations or those who are in a weakened physical state. There is not a great deal of research available on dance and health; however, a few studies indicate that dance is effective for both physical and psychological parameters, including improvements in aerobic ability, depression, anxiety, fatigue, and tension, but not joint status for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (e.g., Noreau et al., 1995). A study of African-American and Hispanic adolescents conducted at the Stanford University Medical School indicates that a dance program coupled with a culturally sensitive health curriculum can be effective in improving health and awareness of the importance of physical exercise for this population (Flores, 1995). The long-range impact of this type of program could be significant, as cardiovascular disease is the major cause of death among adults in both of these ethnic groups. Another intriguing study indicates a significant reduction in anxiety for students participating in a modern dance class compared with controls participating in physical education, music, or math classes (Leste and Rust, 1984).
More tools in the toolbox
Claudio F. Donner, Nicolino Ambrosino, Roger S. Goldstein in Pulmonary Rehabilitation, 2020
There are also numerous psychosocial benefits to dance such as emotional and social well-being and stress reduction (66). Dance therapy provides the opportunity for socialization, as it is typically delivered in a group format, and partnered dance instruction necessitates close contact with another individual. This social aspect may partially explain the high rates of adherence and patient satisfaction. Multiple studies have reported a zero percent dropout rate, and participants in the dance group of controlled studies often attend additional classes once the study is finished (70,71). Individuals with COPD often experience anxiety associated with dyspnoea on exertion (72,73), which can lead to hesitation to exercise (74). A group dance therapy programme may assist in managing these symptoms while promoting social interaction and maintaining exercise capacity.
Clinical applications of exercise in Parkinson’s disease: what we need to know?
Published in Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, 2022
Sergio Machado, Diogo Teixeira, Diogo Monteiro, Claudio Imperatori, Eric Murillo-Rodriguez, Fernanda Pereira da Silva Rocha, Tetsuya Yamamoto, Sandra Amatriain-Fernández, Henning Budde, Mauro Giovanni Carta, Leonardo Caixeta, Alberto Souza de Sá Filho
Additionally, two elegant systematic reviews [62,63] address the effects of complementary therapies such as dance and other modalities such as boxing on the parameters of adherence, QoL, motor performance and balance. From the perspective of dance, for example, Aguiar et al. [62] report a positive impact of therapeutic dance on such parameters. It seems that compared to traditional exercises, dance therapy can provide greater adherence and pleasure. In the same perspective, Rocha et al. [63], demonstrate that exercises performed in water have been shown to be effective in improving QoL and reducing the risk of falling (2 RCT studies, 2 Non-RCT studies, 2 case studies). Dance therapies also provided improvements in functional mobility, QoL, gait pattern, balance, and symptom severity (6 RCT studies and 2 case studies). Finally, virtual reality also seems to be an important strategy employed in patients with PD, positively impacting ADL, balance, QoL, functional mobility and movement (1 RCT study and 4 case studies). Other activities such as Boxing and mental practice, despite demonstrating efficiency, still lack of evidence.
DARE to move: feasibility study of a novel dance-based rehabilitation method in severe traumatic brain injury
Published in Brain Injury, 2021
Teppo Särkämö, Lilli Huttula, Jenna Leppelmeier, Kiki Molander, Maj-Brit Forsbom, Kirsi Säynevirta, Marjo Kullberg-Turtiainen, Petri Turtiainen, Jaana Sarajuuri, Laura Hokkanen, Pekka Rantanen, Sanna Koskinen
In healthy subjects, dance training has been associated with the enhancement of skills closely related to the visuomotor aspects of dance, such as balance, posture, sensorimotor integration, and motion perception (21–25), extending also to the improvement of cognitive skills (e.g., attention, memory) and subjective well-being, especially in older adults (24–27). Neurally, dance training has been linked to structural and functional neuroplasticity in the AON, motor and sensorimotor cortex, cingulate cortex, insula, and basal ganglia as well as with increased cortical phase synchrony and neurotrophin levels (23,26–32). Overall, dance therapy has been reported to have positive effects primarily on psychosocial wellbeing, including self-esteem, mood, emotional adjustment, and QOL (33,34). Dance-based interventions have also been reported to have positive effects on motor (e.g., balance, gait) and cognitive functions, psychological wellbeing, and QOL in Parkinson’s disease (35,36), mild cognitive impairment (37,38), and dementia (39–41). However, the methodological quality of the studies and the level of evidence for clinical efficacy have been variable and the effects of the interventions heterogeneous (33–41), and more well-designed and controlled trials are needed.
Physiotherapist-guided Free Movement Dance for patients with persistent pain is empowering in everyday living. A qualitative study
Published in European Journal of Physiotherapy, 2020
Kicki Nordström, Annika Ekhammar, Maria EH Larsson
Furthermore, inspiration from music and movement has been found valuable in treating pain. Music, provided through a portable media player was shown to have an analgesic effect [19] and, listening to music in daily life improved perceived control over pain [20]. It has also been shown that the effectiveness of aerobic exercise was higher when combined with music therapy in improving depression and general discomfort in individuals with fibromyalgia [21]. Movement in the form of dance therapy has been suggested to increase quality of life, decrease physical stress, lead to mental stress reduction and increased body awareness [22]. Thus, both BBAT, music used in therapy and dance therapy seem have a positive impact regarding quality of life on patients suffering from PP.
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