Prescribing Dance : An ethnography of participants in a dance class for neurological disorders

Dance has proven in previous research to be potentially beneficial to individuals with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) to in addressing both the motor and non-motor symptoms of their disease. This research aims to uncover how participants in a dance class for neurological disorders experience the class and the benefits it may bring. It both compares its findings to previous research and offers testimony of new benefits to guide future study and pedagogy. Qualitative interviews on participants in the class with both PD, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and caregivers were conducted and analyzed using descriptive coding for relevant themes and patterns. Analysis of the interviews found that participants with PD experienced some impact on motor symptoms and felt their symptoms “would have gotten worse faster” without the class. Individuals with TBIs experienced more exaggerated improvements to their motor symptoms, prompting further study. Participants were unanimous on how the class improved their mental health, particularly in combating depression and social isolation. Participants also described an increased sense of accomplishment brought on by their participation in the class, instilling a sense of self-efficacy that disrupts narratives of incapability often impressed upon them. Dance is uniquely capable of addressing many of the difficulties brought on by neurological disorders and is effective at positively impacting the lives of the people with such conditions. (A supplementary file with interview questions is included at the bottom of this page.)