Annotated Results: 4 Dance

Please add comments. Tell us about work we've missed. Add work published after we closed our review.

In your annotated additions please tell what was studied, what benefits were found, what quality of life benefits were found, and how well benefits were sustained.

Thanks. Don

4. Dance

Arakawa-Davies, K. (1997). Dance/movement therapy and reminiscence: a new approach to senile dementia in Japan. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 24(3), 291-299.
This study explored the role of DMT in stimulating reminiscence and the life review in 10-12 male and female temporarily hospitalized patients with senile dementia. While the use of DMT is still new in Japan, the authors cite its potential as a natural bridge between the reminiscing of the elderly and the traditional role elders hold in Japan of narrating traditional culture. Goals met included: revitalizing movement, releasing psycho-social tensions, stimulating constructive recall, reality contact, social interaction, and expressing feelings. The authors suggest that DMT can improve QoL and welfare of seniors with dementia.

Berrol, C.F. (2000). The spectrum of research options for dance/movement therapy. American Journal of Dance Therapy, 22(1), 29-46.
This article looks at the range of research interventions available within DMT and the state-of-the-science. It discusses techniques such as dance and movement programs as well as storytelling/making and reminiscence.

Coaten, R. (2001). Exploring reminiscence through dance and movement. Journal of Dementia Care, 9, 19-22.
This article explores the use of DMT on reminiscence through the program Living Arts Scotland (LAS), which focuses on staff training in residential homes and day centers. The authors suggest that the greater the richness and variety of opportunities residents have to express themselves, the more likely it will be that both they and their care workers will be enriched. Although based on anecdotal evidence only, findings suggest that DMT fosters connection and that participants can benefit physically, emotionally, cognitively, spiritually, and socially. There is no emphasis on learning dance techniques to participate. In fact, the authors point out that “When we work with people with dementia we are working with fragments. Our task is in some way to listen for and recognize the harmony that exists within the dissonance. We need to learn how to be more alert to these moments so that we can recognize, honour and celebrate them (p 21).” They highlight the importance of role reversal where the resident becomes the facilitator or teacher, for however short a time (p 22). Ultimately, the process is more important than the product (p 22).

Crighton, S. (1997). Moving is the language I use, Communication is my goal. Journal of Dementia Care, 5, 16-17.
This article uses drama/movement therapy to facilitate communication between persons with dementia.

Donald, J. & Hall, S. (1999). Dance: The Getting There Group. Journal of Dementia Care, 7(3), 25-27.
This article reports on a 10-week, structured approach to Dance/Movement Therapy for 4 individuals in the early stages of AD. The brief case studies suggest that there are psychotherapeutic benefits to D/MT.

Gibson, F. (1994). What can reminiscence contribute to people with dementia? In Bornat J. (Ed.), Reminiscence Reviewed: Perspectives, Evaluations, Achievements (pp 53). Buckingham: Open University Press.
This paper discusses the contribution reminiscence can have on the experience of PWD. Short-term positive experiences are reported for those participating in reminiscence. The fact that pleasure may be fleeting or transitory does not negate its value either to the person or carer who often can be encouraged by such responses to persevere in their caring role (p 53).

Hill, H. (1999). Dance Therapy and Communication in Dementia. Signpost, 4(1), 13-14.
This dance therapist explores the principle of dance with PWD. Her holistic approach gives primacy to communication and efforts to empower people with the condition.

Jerrome, D. (1999). Circles of the Mind. Journal of Dementia Care, 7(3), 20-24.
This article reports on the use of circle dancing, which encourages slowness and a sense of community, with PWD.

Johnson, C.M.; Lahey, P.; & Shore, A. (1992). An Exploration of Creative Arts therapeutic group work on an Alzheimer’s unit. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 19(4), 269-277.
This article examines the use of creative arts therapies in groups of PWAD.

Killick, J. & Allan, K. (1999a). The arts in dementia care: tapping a rich resource. Journal of Dementia Care, 7, 4, 35-38.
This article provided a review of the art therapy research used in dementia care as activity, not therapy. The emphasis in this first paper is on the art form where the most work has been done with people with dementia – music. Benefits included being more physically responsive, socially aware, demonstrating evidence of enjoyment, some heightened cognitive functioning such as talking more spontaneously and recalling memories, and promoting “sonas” or community. The authors participation in “coma work sessions” is also described. Overall, the authors challenge a strict bio-medical view and see meaning in the disinhibitions and creativity in communication that PWD exhibit.

Nystrom, K. & Lauritzen, S.O. (2005). Expressive Bodies: demented persons' communication in a dance therapy context. Health, 9(3), 297-317.
This study involved six women and one man, over 70, diagnosed with dementia and living in nursing homes. Group dance and therapy sessions were videotaped and analyzed with a focus on how verbal and nonverbal modes of communication were used by participants, allowing for those with a limited memory capacity to express themselves. This study challenged the “default model” and shifted focus from limitations caused by illness to a more profound understanding of the world of the ill person. The purpose was defined as promoting well being by “increasing the range of his/her movement repertoire.” Various existential themes that were expressed included: ageing, loneliness, loss of dear ones as well as bodily capacity, length and quality of life, feeling young at heart, and acceptance. The dance therapist (Nystrom) played the dual role of therapist and researcher so sessions were taped and analyzed by a research team.

Wilkinson, N.; Srikumar, S.; Shaw, K.; & Orrell, M. (1998). Drama and Movement Therapy in Dementia: a pilot study. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 25(3), 195-201.
This study focused on patients with dementia attending a psychiatric day hospital and used the Sesame method, a symbolic approach based in Jungian psychology and humanistic philosophy to access patient’s subjective experience (self-esteem) rather than improving their cognition or reducing psychiatric symptoms as measured by quantitative scales. The study criticizes the quantitative approach with its emphasis on statistical significance and deductive reasoning as unable to capture the validity derived from more descriptive and qualitative methods. Authors found "deterioration in dementia is expected but stimulating and maintaining social skills, independence, self-esteem, and self-belief through drama therapy may improve quality of life." The study notes that future groups need to match groups more carefully for age, sex, cognitive impairment, and functional dependency.