Effects of an African Circle Dance Programme on Internally Displaced Persons with Depressive Symptoms: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Abstract

Background: Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are people who have been forced to flee their homes due to disasters. Depressive symptoms, at over 31–67%, are prevalent in IDPs in Africa. Despite the evidence for the benefits of the promotion of dance interventions on psychological health, supporting information is needed to outline the benefits of an African Circle Dance (ACD) intervention for IDPs in Africa. Methods: A quasi-experimental design (pre-/post-test) was employed. Two IDP camps were randomized into the intervention group (psychoeducation and ACD intervention) and the control group (psychoeducation). Adults aged ≥18 years, living in an IDP camp, able to perform brisk walking, and who scored ≥10 on a depressive symptoms subscale were recruited. The intervention group received an 8-week ACD dance intervention and two 1-h psychoeducation sessions on stress management; the controls only received the psychoeducation sessions. Outcomes were depressive symptoms, stress, and anxiety. Data were collected at baseline (T0), immediately after the intervention at week 8 (T1), and at week 12 (T2) at the post-intervention and follow-up session. A generalized estimating equation was used to test the effects of the ACD intervention, with a 0.05 significance level. Results: 198 IDPs completed the study (ncontrol = 98; nintervention = 100). The intervention group reported significantly greater improvements in depressive symptoms (v = 0.33, p < 0.001) and stress (v = 0.15, 0.008) than did the control group. Conclusions: ACD could be a valuable complementary intervention in health promotion but more research is needed.

A Systematic Review of the Effect of Arts-Based Interventions on Patient Care in Nigeria

“…Three-fourths were from two states in the South-Western region of the country, dominated by Lagos (50%) [ 11 , 13 , 14 , 21 ], while the remaining 25% were from Oyo state [ 8 , 12 ]. A total of 12.5% of the studies were carried out in Ebonyi state and Bornu state, from the South-Eastern and North-Eastern regions of the country, respectively [ 15 , 22 ]. In half of the art-based activities, participants were recruited from a healthcare facility, three (37.5%) from an out-patient setting of a tertiary hospital [ 11 , 13 , 15 ], and one (12.5%) from the rehabilitation center for spinal cord injured patients [ 14 ].…”

“…In half of the art-based activities, participants were recruited from a healthcare facility, three (37.5%) from an out-patient setting of a tertiary hospital [ 11 , 13 , 15 ], and one (12.5%) from the rehabilitation center for spinal cord injured patients [ 14 ]. A total of 25% of the studies were carried out in community-based settings, the first at an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp [ 22 ] and the second in a rural community among elderly individuals with a diagnosis of depression [ 8 ]. One other study took place in a care home for children with special needs [ 21 ].…”

“…The dimensions of music therapy offered by Akinwumi RO and Mojoyinola JK were not described in sufficient detail [ 14 ]. Three interventions focused on dance, involving a total of 266 participants [ 11 , 13 , 22 ]. In a quasi-experimental study, Salihu D et al accessed the impact of African Circle Dance (ACD) on participants who had depression [ 22 ].…”

“…Three interventions focused on dance, involving a total of 266 participants [ 11 , 13 , 22 ]. In a quasi-experimental study, Salihu D et al accessed the impact of African Circle Dance (ACD) on participants who had depression [ 22 ]. Sessions were facilitated by a dance specialist who employed a band of African musicians and instrumentalists to play African music.…”

“…The gender of those who partook in the studies was reported in 75% of the papers, with females representing 53.9% of the cumulative sample and male participants making up 46.1%. One study reported more males than females [ 12 ], two reported equal numbers [ 15 , 21 ], and three reported more female than male subjects [ 11 , 14 , 22 ]. A total of 50% of the studies explored art-based interventions in individuals with a diagnosis of systemic hypertension or depression.…”