Therapeutic Dancing for Frail Older People in Residential Aged Care: A Thematic Analysis of Barriers and Facilitators to Implementation

Abstract

Background Adults who live in residential aged care can have reduced participation in physical activities and sit for prolonged periods. Therapeutic dancing aims to optimize movement, creative expression, well-being, and social interaction. Objectives To investigate the benefits, challenges, and facilitators to implementing therapeutic dancing in residential aged care. Methods Thematic analysis of semistructured interviews of residential aged care staff and therapists. Interviews were digitally audio-recorded and thematically analyzed. Findings: Four main themes were identified: (a) despite frailty, dancing classes afforded motor and nonmotor benefits, (b) music and dance genre selections were key to success, (c) the skills of the dance instructor were associated with successful outcomes, and (d) there were modifiable and nonmodifiable facilitators and barriers to implementation. Conclusion Enablers included support from management, resident supervision, age-appropriate music with a strong rhythmical beat, and a dance instructor skilled in comprehensive care. Barriers included multimorbidity, frailty, severe cognitive impairment, and funding.

Mouvement de passage: Creating connections through movement among persons with dementia

“…Additionally, the use of multiple methods and iterative video analysis to triangulate information as well as the discussions to cross-check our findings with researchers who were not involved in the movement program should ensure the study’s scientific validity. Third, although our results only suggest that Mouvement de passage might trigger embodied memory and learning abilities, they are consistent with other studies about the therapeutic effects of dance and movement interventions on memory and procedural learning (e.g., Cheung et al, 2018b; Dayanim, 2009; Gomaa et al, 2020; Rösler et al, 2002). This emerging field of research has begun to prove that dance and movement have a positive impact on relational effects of dementia and encourages further research in this area.…”

“…One of the main strengths of this study was capturing the point of view of persons with dementia and incorporating it throughout the implementation of the movement program. Most studies about dance and movement interventions have relied on researcher observations (e.g., Arakawa-Davies, 1997; Lai et al, 2016; Rösler et al, 2002) or on caregiver and staff member perspectives to assess the effects of such interventions (Gomaa et al, 2020; Lai & Lai, 2017; Melhuish et al, 2017; Sung et al, 2006). Recently, some studies have begun gathering information on how persons with dementia experience dance and movement interventions through questionnaires, interviews (Guzmán et al, 2017; Ho et al, 2015; Nyström & Lauritzen, 2005; Ravelin et al, 2013; Thøgersen-Ntoumani et al, 2018), ethnography (Mc Parland et al, 2017), and video film (Mc Parland et al, 2017; Nyström & Lauritzen, 2005; Ravelin et al, 2013; Rösler et al, 2002).…”

“…Specifically, cumulating evidence has shown that dance and movement interventions can improve cognitive functions (Cheung et al, 2018b; Dayanim, 2009; Moore & Lesiuk, 2018; Rösler et al, 2002; Thøgersen-Ntoumani et al, 2018), reduce agitation (Cheung et al, 2018a; Sung et al, 2006), and decrease aggression and/or other problematic dementia-associated behaviors (Goldstein-Levitas, 2019; Guzmán et al, 2016; Ho et al, 2015). Although the therapeutic effects of these interventions are significant, few are focused on subjective experiences, such as enjoyment, well-being, and sense of social inclusion (Coaten, 2001; Gomaa et al, 2020; Mc Parland et al, 2017; Ravelin et al, 2013; Skinner et al, 2018). Moreover, there is limited knowledge of how dance and movement interventions could positively affect the relational dimension of the lives of persons with dementia and support their ability to establish meaningful connections.…”

Effect of a Multimodal Movement Intervention in Patients With Neurogenic Claudication Based on Lumbar Spinal Stenosis and/or Degenerative Spondylolisthesis—A Pilot Study

“…Therefore, a dance training consisting of complex sensorimotor, rhythmic, and physical activity integrating multiple cognitive and social elements (30)(31)(32) combined with a coordinative-cognitive demanding training could have superior effects on designated cognitive functions, leading to a decreased gait variability. Several studies already applied dancing interventions in elderly with and without mild cognitive impairment, indicating an improvement in cognitive functions (25,33,34). These multiple improvements especially the reduction in gait variability could lead to a reduced risk of trip-related falls in people with chronic LBP.…”

Tango-Therapy Intervention for Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment Living in Nursing Homes. Effects on Quality of Life, Physical Abilities and Gait.

“…Few of the previous studies on the effect of dance on older people include institutionalized people of advanced age and suffering from moderate-severe cognitive impairment [23][24][25]. The objective of this study was to analyze the feasibility and the efficiency of tango-interventions in older adults living in nursing homes.…”