Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Dance/Movement Therapy and Sensory Stimulation: A Holistic Approach to Dementia Care

  • Narratives
  • Published:
American Journal of Dance Therapy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Nearly 135 million people worldwide will be afflicted with dementia by 2050 (Robinson et al., 2015). Dementia is a devastating and progressive illness that results in the loss of one’s sense of self and feelings such as frustration, depression, and anxiety. Dance/movement therapy (DMT) is a useful, non-pharmacologic method for the treatment of dementia, as this discipline enhances quality of life, may attenuate cognitive decline, and is cost-effective; DMT engages the sensory systems and stimulates physical, emotional, and cognitive functioning. This article affirms that sensory stimulation in DMT is a holistic, economical, and fruitful approach for dementia care.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Berrol, C. F. (1992). The neurophysiologic basis of the mind-body connection in dance/movement therapy. American Journal of Dance Therapy, 14(1), 19–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berrol, C. F., & Katz, S. S. (1985). Dance/movement therapy in the rehabilitation of individuals surviving severe head injuries. American Journal of Dance Therapy, 8(1), 46–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berrol, C. F., Katz, S. S., & Ooi, W. L. (1997). Dance/movement therapy with older adults who have sustained neurological insult: A demonstration project. American Journal of Dance Therapy, 19(2), 135–160.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bräuninger, I. (2012). The efficacy of dance movement therapy group on improvement of quality of life: A randomized controlled trial. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 39(4), 296–303.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bräuninger, I. (2014). Dance movement therapy with the elderly: An international internet-based survey undertaken with practitioners. Body, Movement and Dance in Psychotherapy, 9(3), 138–153.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burns, A., Byrne, J., Ballard, C., & Holmes, C. (2002). Sensory stimulation in dementia. British Medical Journal, 325(7376), 1312–1313.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Burns, A., Dening, T., & Baldwin, R. (2001). Mental health problems. British Medical Journal, 322(7289), 789–791.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Fersch, I. (1980). Dance/movement therapy: A holistic approach to working with the elderly. American Journal of Dance Therapy, 3(2), 33–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, P. F. C. (2001). Learning and memory: Systems and functions. Cognitive Brain Research, 12(1), 61–74.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goldstein-Levitas, N. J. (2015). Dance/movement therapy with institutionalized older adults: An effective, holistic intervention for loss adaptation. In S. L. Brooke & D. A. Miraglia (Eds.), Using the creative therapies to cope with grief and loss (pp. 263–282). Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoe, J., Hancock, G., Livingston, G., Woods, B., Challis, D., & Orrell, M. (2009). Changes in the quality of life of people with dementia living in care homes. Alzheimer Disease and Associated Disorders, 23(3), 285–290.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson, K. (2014). Expressive therapies for people with Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Social Work Today, 14(1), 1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Karkou, V. & Meekums, B. (2014). Dance movement therapy for dementia (Protocol). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 3. Art. No.: CD011022. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011022

  • Levy, F. J. (2005). Dance/movement therapy; A healing art (2nd rev ed.). Reston, VA: National Dance Association, an Association of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.

  • Lindner, E. C. (1982). Dance as a therapeutic intervention for the elderly. Educational Gerontology, 8(2), 167–174.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Logsdon, R., Gibbons, L., McCurry, S., & Teri, L. (1999). Assessing quality of life in Alzheimer’s disease: Patient and caregiver reports. Journal of Mental Health and Aging, 5(1), 21–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lykkeslet, E., Gjengedal, E., Skrondal, T. H., & Storjord, M. (2014). Sensory stimulation- a way of creating mutual relations in dementia care. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being. doi:10.3402/qhw.v9.23888.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Maddock, R. J., Garrett, A. S., & Buonocore, M. H. (2001). Remembering familiar people: The posterior cingulated cortex and autobiographical memory retrieval. Neuroscience, 104(3), 667–676.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Matherly, N. (2014). Navigating the dance of touch: An exploration into the use of touch in dance/movement therapy. American Journal of Dance Therapy, 36(1), 77–91.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mayeux, R. (2010). Early Alzheimer’s disease. New England Journal of Medicine, 362(23), 2194–2201.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell, S. L., Teno, J. M., Kiely, D. K., Shaffer, M. L., Jones, R. N., Prigerson, H. G., et al. (2009). The clinical course of advanced dementia. New England Journal of Medicine, 361(16), 1529–1538.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Needler, M. W., & Baer, M. A. (1982). Movement, music and remotivation with the regressed elderly. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 8(9), 497–503.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pallaro, P. (1996). Self and body self: DMT and the development of object relations. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 23(2), 113–119.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pashby, P., Hann, J., & Sunico, M. E. S. (2009). Dementia care planning: Shared experience and collaboration. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 52(8), 837–848.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pinniger, R., Thorsteinsson, E. B., Brown, R. F., & McKinley, P. (2013). Tango dance can reduce distress and insomnia in people with self-referred affective symptoms. American Journal of Dance Therapy, 35(1), 60–77.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robertson, L. (1987). Memory functioning in those who age normally and abnormally: A literature review. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 50(2), 53–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, L., Tang, E., & Taylor, J. P. (2015). Dementia: Timely diagnosis and early intervention. British Medical Journal, 350, h3029.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Rossini, P. M., & Pauri, F. (2000). Neuromagnetic integrated methods tracking human brain mechanisms of sensorimotor areas ‘plastic’ reorganization. Brain Research Review, 33(2–3), 131–154.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sandel, S. L. (1978). Reminiscence in movement therapy with the aged. Art Psychotherapy, 5(4), 217–221.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sandel, S. L., Chaiklin, S., & Lohn, A. (Eds.). (1993). Foundations of dance/movement therapy: The life and work of Marian Chace. Columbia, MD: Marian Chace Memorial Fund of the American Dance Therapy Association.

  • Sandel, S. L., & Johnson, D. R. (1987). Waiting at the gate: Creativity and hope in the nursing home. Activities, Adaptation & Aging, 9(3), 1–185.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmais, C. (1985). Healing processes in group dance therapy. American Journal of Dance Therapy, 8(1), 17–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Srinivasan, V., Maestroni, G. J. M., Cardinali, D. P., Esquifino, A. I., Pandi Perumal, S. R., & Miller, S. C. (2005). Melatonin, immune function and aging. Immunity and Ageing. doi:10.1186/1742-4933-2-17.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Stone, R. (2011). Long-term care for the elderly. Washington, DC: The Urban Institute Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tija, J., Briesacher, B. A., Peterson, D., Lin, Q., Andrade, S. E., & Mitchell, S. L. (2014). Use of medications of questionable benefit in advanced dementia. JAMA, 174(11), 1763–1771.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vozzella, S. (2007). Sensory stimulation in dementia care: Why it is important and how to implement it. Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation, 23(2), 102–113.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wiggins, R. (1978). The importance of sensory stimulation in caring for the elderly. Journal of Practical Nursing, 28(2), 24–26.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Philadelphia, PA, 19130, USA

    Natasha Goldstein-Levitas

Authors
  1. Natasha Goldstein-Levitas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Natasha Goldstein-Levitas.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Goldstein-Levitas, N. Dance/Movement Therapy and Sensory Stimulation: A Holistic Approach to Dementia Care. Am J Dance Ther 38, 429–436 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10465-016-9221-5

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10465-016-9221-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation