Influence of adapted hip-hop dancing on quality of life and social participation among children/adolescents with cerebral palsy

Abstract

To describe the influence of adapted hip-hop dancing on the quality of life (QoL) and biopsychosocial profile of children/adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods Pilot study including 18 children/adolescents with CP and Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I and II. Nine participants took part in an adapted hip-hop dance practice (study group; SG), and nine others served as the control group (CG). All participants were assessed with the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument and the Child Behavior Checklist at baseline and after at least three months of dance practice and a public performance (SG) or a similar period without intervention (CG). Results Improvement in QoL was observed in the SG in the domains of transfer and basic mobility (p = 0.00*), sporting and physical function (p = 0.04*), and global function and symptoms (p = 0.01*). In the SG, there was a reduction in emotional and behavioral problems and an increase in social competence in the biopsychosocial profile. Greater participation in adapted hip-hop dancing was associated with a greater gain in the transfer and basic mobility domains (p = 0.05*) of the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument and in the activities (p = 0.05*) and social (p = 0.04*) scales of the Child Behavior Checklist. Conclusions Children/adolescents with CP participating in adapted hip-hop dance practice showed improvement in QoL and biopsychosocial profile scores.

The Impact of Frame Running on Quality of Life in Young Athletes With Mobility Limitations

“…Maher et al ( 2016 ) found a positive association between physical activity, social and physical quality of life, and happiness in young people with CP. Other authors reported positive effects on QoL in children with disabilities after participating in adapted soccer and swimming (Feitosa et al, 2017 ) and in adapted hip-hop dance practice (Withers et al, 2019 ). Also interventions as an adapted cycling program had a positive effect on the emotional well-being of children with CP (Demuth et al, 2012 ; Pickering et al, 2013a , b ).…”

Effectiveness and Evidence Level of Dance on Functioning of Children and Adolescents with Neuromotor Impairments: A Systematic Review

“…Children with neuromotor impairments often present neuromuscular alterations, deficits in postural control, and inability to perform simultaneous tasks [6,7]. Therefore, due to their health condition, children with neuromotor impairments commonly need therapeutic interventions to deal with their dysfunctions and maximize their function [8][9][10].…”

“…Based on the ICF framework, rehabilitation programs directed to children and adolescents with neuromotor impairments should not only focus on the components of body structure and function, such as increases in muscle strength, range of movement, and postural stability, but also be directed to improve performance in activities of daily living and engagement in activities in home, school, and community environments [7,9].…”

“…Among current available therapies presenting potential to act in all these health domains, we find in dance a therapeutic resource with great potential for these multiple biopsychosocial components, which would be awakened by the simple act of dancing [9]. As a therapeutic resource, dance intervention is the training of a neuromotor activity based on repetition and sequences of ordinary and dynamic movement memorization to music [5,17].…”

“…As a therapeutic resource, dance intervention is the training of a neuromotor activity based on repetition and sequences of ordinary and dynamic movement memorization to music [5,17]. According to Lakes et al [5] and Withers et al [9], dance's therapeutic benefits go beyond conventional physical therapy. They report that dance may act on selfconfidence, allowing us to use the body as an instrument of creative expression, beyond exposing it to music and rhythm to guide movement.…”