Meg E Morris1,2,3, Susan C Slade1, Joanne E Wittwer3, Irene Blackberry4, Simon Haines1, Madeleine E Hackney5,6, Victor B McConvey7. 1. Academic and Research Collaborative in Health (ARCH), 2080La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 2. Victorian Rehabilitation Centre, 22052Healthscope, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 3. School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, 2080La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 4. John Richards Centre for Rural Ageing Research, 2080La Trobe University, Wodonga, VIC, Australia. 5. Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Department of Medicine, 12239Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA. 6. 19998Atlanta Veterans Affairs Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Decatur, GA, USA. 7. 502562Parkinson's Victoria, Surrey Hills, VIC, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Therapeutic dancing can be beneficial for people living with Parkinson's disease (PD), yet community-based classes can be difficult to access. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and impact of online therapeutic dancing classes for people in the early to mid-stages of PD. METHODS: Co-produced with people living with PD, physiotherapists, dance teachers and the local PD association, the 'ParkinDANCE' program was adapted to enable online delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants completed 8 one-hour sessions of online therapeutic dancing. Each person was assigned their own dance teacher and together they selected music for the classes. A mixed-methods design enabled analysis of feasibility and impact. Feasibility was quantified by attendance and adverse events. Impact was determined from individual narratives pertaining to consumer experiences and engagement, analysed with qualitative methods through a phenomenological lens. RESULTS: Attendance was high, with people attending 100% sessions. There were no adverse events. Impact was illustrated by the key themes from the in-depth interviews: (i) a sense of achievement, enjoyment and mastery occurred with online dance; (ii) project co-design facilitated participant engagement; (iii) dance instructor capabilities, knowledge and skills facilitated positive outcomes; (iv) music choices were key; and (v) participants were able to quickly adapt to online delivery with support and resources. CONCLUSIONS: Online dance therapy was safe, feasible and perceived to be of benefit in this sample of early adopters. During the pandemic, it was a viable form of structured physical activity. For the future, online dance may afford benefits to health, well-being and social engagement.
BACKGROUND: Therapeutic dancing can be beneficial for people living with Parkinson's disease (PD), yet community-based classes can be difficult to access. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and impact of online therapeutic dancing classes for people in the early to mid-stages of PD. METHODS: Co-produced with people living with PD, physiotherapists, dance teachers and the local PD association, the 'ParkinDANCE' program was adapted to enable online delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants completed 8 one-hour sessions of online therapeutic dancing. Each person was assigned their own dance teacher and together they selected music for the classes. A mixed-methods design enabled analysis of feasibility and impact. Feasibility was quantified by attendance and adverse events. Impact was determined from individual narratives pertaining to consumer experiences and engagement, analysed with qualitative methods through a phenomenological lens. RESULTS: Attendance was high, with people attending 100% sessions. There were no adverse events. Impact was illustrated by the key themes from the in-depth interviews: (i) a sense of achievement, enjoyment and mastery occurred with online dance; (ii) project co-design facilitated participant engagement; (iii) dance instructor capabilities, knowledge and skills facilitated positive outcomes; (iv) music choices were key; and (v) participants were able to quickly adapt to online delivery with support and resources. CONCLUSIONS: Online dance therapy was safe, feasible and perceived to be of benefit in this sample of early adopters. During the pandemic, it was a viable form of structured physical activity. For the future, online dance may afford benefits to health, well-being and social engagement.
Authors: Jeanette Tamplin; Meg E Morris; Felicity A Baker; Tanara Vieira Sousa; Simon Haines; Stephen Dunn; Victoria Tull; Adam P Vogel Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2021-12-20 Impact factor: 2.692