@article{e1b9309d525246f2951b09e5496d7c23,
title = "{"}Out and proud…. in all your shaking glory{"} the wellbeing impact of a dance program with public dance performance for people with Parkinson's disease: a qualitative study",
abstract = "PURPOSE: To explore if and how Parkinson's disease dance class participation and public performance contributes to perceptions of wellbeing.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A qualitative design using audio-recorded one-on-one semi-structured interviews with five class participants and three teachers/volunteers from two metropolitan Dance for Wellbeing class locations. Data were inductively thematically analysed by three researchers.RESULTS: Five themes illustrated the experience of dance class and performance for people with Parkinson's Disease: 1) 'the enabling learning environment'; 2) 'physical benefits from class participation; 3) 'mental/psychological benefits from class participation'; 4) 'social benefits from class participation; 5) 'sense of self and life engagement from class participation'. Themes 4 and 5 in particular were considered to be 'magnified by public performance', providing an opportunity for solidarity within the group and a supportive avenue for {"}coming out{"} and living publicly with the PD diagnosis.CONCLUSION: Dance performance magnifies health and wellbeing experiences of people with Parkinson's disease when part of an enabling, inclusive and emotionally and physically safe learning dance class environment. Elements of holistic benefits, as well as the fun and playful nature of the experience may be important elements to consider for motivation, recruitment and retention in this population.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONRehabilitation professionals should consider the use of dance class as an art-based activity that has a holistic therapeutic benefit.Flexible and fun environments are constructive for dancers to sustain attendance and interest.Rehabilitation professionals can be cognisant of the impact of public dance performance as 'coming out' with Parkinson's Disease.",
keywords = "coping, creativity, dance, dance performance, exercise, Parkinson{\textquoteright}s disease, qualitative, rehabilitation, wellbeing",
author = "Carroll, {Suzanne J} and Dale, {Michael J} and Kasia Bail",
note = "Funding Information: The Dance for Wellbeing program commenced in 2013 and includes Dance for People with Parkinson{\textquoteright}s Disease. The program provides weekly dance classes of 60 to 75 min length with an inclusive approach. In 2017-2019 425 dancers attended 600 Dance for Wellbeing classes. The program was funded by an Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Health Grant and managed by experienced dance teachers who have dance, occupational therapy, and education qualifications, and supported by volunteers. Classes were held at multiple local community arts centres and were based on the model of Dance for Parkinson{\textquoteright}s Disease from the Mark Morris Dance Group, Brooklyn, New York in 2001. Focussing on the aesthetic nature of dance, rather than dance as a physical or psychological therapy, the program endeavours to create an accessible, enjoyable environment for artistic exploration, appreciation, and learning with an intent to enrich participant health and wellbeing. The program offers a supportive class environment for people with PD and their carers, and provides opportunities for public dance performance as a group. The program is designed, delivered, and presented as a dance program, rather than a dance therapy program, and participants are treated as dancers rather than as patients. In order to honour and maintain this inclusive approach, this paper also refers to all participants as {\textquoteleft}dancers{\textquoteright}. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2022 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.",
year = "2023",
doi = "10.1080/09638288.2022.2122598",
language = "English",
volume = "45",
pages = "3272--3283",
journal = "Disability and Rehabilitation",
issn = "0963-8288",
publisher = "Informa Healthcare",
number = "20",
}