Dance movement therapy and dance interventions for people living with dementia: a PRISMA scoping review on health and well-being outcomes, assessments, and interventions

Background: Living with dementia is an increasing reality for many people and their caregivers in our ageing society. There is a growing interest to employ dance movement therapy (DMT) and dance interventions as non-verbal, embodied approaches to engage people with dementia and reduce their symptoms. However, the outcomes measured in different studies vary greatly depending on whether the approach is oriented toward a biomedical perspective focused on reducing diagnostic symptoms or on a person-centered care approach, focused on maintaining personhood. Methods: To better understand the health and well-being outcomes of DMT/dance interventions for older adults living with dementia, we conducted a scoping review. The databases Google Scholar, PubMed, PsycInfo, PubPsych, and LIVIVO were systematically searched for studies published between 2000 and 2021 addressing the health and well-being of older adults (65+) living with dementia via DMT/dance interventions. The data regarding participants, study design, aim/purpose, intervention frequency, type and duration, outcomes measured, findings and effect were charted and organized according to two outcome frameworks: the International Classification of Functionality, Disability and Health (ICF) and the Dunphy Outcomes Framework (DOF), an outcome framework for DMT. The data synthesis focused on outcomes, assessment tools, and intervention type, as closely interlinked entities. A critical appraisal of the results was undertaken. Results: The Nstudies=26 studies included reflected a wide range of outcomes. Using the DOF for synthesis, we found that the physical domain was studied most frequently, closely followed by the emotional and cognitive domain. This was followed by the integration, cultural and social domain respectively. Synthesized via the ICF, the outcomes were formulated at all levels: Body Functions and Structures, Activity and Participation, Environmental as well as overarching Quality of Life. All studies reported a positive effect in the outcomes measured, four studies measured no effect, and one study a negative effect. There has been an increase of research in the field and while the overall quality of studies remains low a recent RCT and mixed-method study show an improvement. Conclusion: As multi-modal interventions, DMT and dance interventions address numerous symptoms of dementia. The two frameworks applied can serve as an orientation for practitioners, and as a point of departure for further interdisciplinary research and policy development. Both frameworks, through the integration of different perspectives, allow for an integrative intervention plan.