Dance Therapy

Description

Dance is an symbolized interest and approached therapeutically it can have several certain health related benefits. Dance/movement therapy (DMT), is a type of therapy that uses movement to help individuals achieve emotional, cognitive, physical, and social integration. Though it falls under the terms of psychotherapy, it can be beneficial to physiotherapists to treat movement disorders like Parkinson's.

DMT offers a way to work through issues that are difficult to articulate or are buried in the unconscious because they are painful, frightening, or simply difficult to access and address through cognitive means. (DMT) is an established profession and defined by the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA), as a method to therapeutically to strengthen the emotional, cognitive, physical and social integration of the individual(ADTA,2013; the European Association adds the ‘spiritual integration’to this list; EADMT, 2013).

How does it work?

Dance interventions aim to aid the patients in achieving greater postural and balance control. DMT is based on the theoretical interdependence between movement and emotion (Bernstein, 1975; Navarre, 1982; Reich, 1949; Rossberg-Gempton & Poole, 1992).

The psychological and physical improvements can be categorized into five areas:

1. resocialization and integration within a larger group system;
2. nonverbal creative expression for emotional expression;
3. total self- and body-awareness and enhanced self-esteem;
4. muscular coordination, broader movement capabilities and tension release; and
5. enjoyment through relaxation.(Payne West, 1984; Rossberg-Gempton & Poole, 1992).

Dancing engages extensive areas of the cerebral cortex as well as several deep brain structures. A recent descriptive systematic review demonstrated changes in brain structure following dance intervention. These changes included:

1. increased hippocampal and parahippocampal volume (involved in memory),
2. increased gray matter volume in the precentral gyrus (involved in motor control) and white matter integrity in the corpus callosum (involved in communication between the two hemispheres).

Uses

DMT is increasingly used to treat a variety of behavioral, psychological, and medical conditions to promote insight, integration and well-being, as well as to diminish undesirable symptoms. Studies have shown dance to be important in planning executive decisions.

How is it conducted?

It can be conducted one on one or in a group setting, with the instructor a part of the therapy or a mere observer.

DMT is conducted by a certified therapist and is known bring positive changes over a wide range of patient population.