Running Head: Dance therapy

The Effects of Dance Therapy

Independent Study 399
Wells College

Negaysha Walcott

Dance therapy

Our capacity for rhythm as human beings is so natural that we often take it for
granted. People tap their feet in response to the beats and even sway without noticing that
they are even moving. Nothing comparable to this happens to other animals in the wild.
Dancing requires a lot of calculations to spatial awareness and balance, timing and intention
in the sensor motor of the brain. The posterior parietal cortex of the brain converts visual
information into a command then send signals forward to motion-planning parts of the
premotor cortex and the supplementary motor area. After this, the instructions are projected
to the primary motor cortex that generates neural impulses that travel to the spine and onto
the muscle to make it contract.
Consequently, sensory organs at the muscles give feedback to the brain that gives the
body the exact orientation in space through the nerves that pass through the spine to the
cerebral cortex. Also, subcortical circuits located in the cerebellum at the back of the brain in
the basal ganglia help update motor commands solely based on the sensory feedback and in
the refining of our actual emotions (Dale, Hyatt, & Holleyman, 2007). This paper will deal
with effects of dance therapy based on kinesiology and neuroplasticity.

Dances are used for many reasons in our today world. Its a form of entertainment,
social gathering, fitness, a profession for some and so much more. It may be used for
relaxation purposes and at other times to mark an individual celebration. The holistic
approach to life has been around for a long time. In the past, dance was used for specific
rituals like as seen to avoid bubonic plague. The dance was also used as a cure for the bite of
the poisonous tarantula spider. In the modern world, dance has upgraded from these past
ideas that dancing can provide power to heal. Dance therapists have used the power of
dancing to help individuals in the accessing of their natural ability to heal and grow.

Dance therapy

Therapists have been for long used dance in its psychotherapeutic effect of movement and
dancing for emotional, social, behavioural, cognitive, and physical conditions.

Dance and movement therapy along with music and art therapy are treated as a single
specialization and are used in the treatment of a broad range of physical and emotional
challenges like an addiction. For years, dancing has been known to be a primal response to
rhythm and music. Dance therapists, for this reason, use the dancers techniques to assist
patients in becoming more in touch with a variety of physical and emotional dimensions of
who they are through the use of non-verbal, movement-oriented styles. Patients are sensitized
to their feelings through sensation and movement through the integration of body and mind.
Since dance management therapy is non-verbal; it can be in a position to deal with a
resistance that comes with the discussion of emotionally charged issues that one may be faced
with in talk therapy.

Dance therapys primary goal is to build the self-esteem and identity of a client that is
dealing with emotional struggles. It is believed that the mind and the body are interrelated,
and, therefore, the state of the body can affect the mental and the emotional wellbeing in a
positive and negative way (Blasing., Calvo-Merino, Cross, Jola, Honisch, & Stevens, 2012).
Dance therapy deals with the nature of movement and through this, it is possible to alter
kinaesthetic movements of a client, diagnose and help solve many psychological problems.
Dance and movement therapy hold the idea that there is a very vital connection that lies
between personality and movement. A change in the way one moves can affect the
intellectual, emotional, and also the physical health of an individual.

Dance therapy is used to express that which cannot be put into words by a patient.

Dance therapy

Patients who have struggles with body image or eating problems have difficulties in putting
fantasies and their feelings into words. Dance therapy assists them to pay attention to bodilyfelt experiences that have the emotional significance that leads them to experience, trust and
also know themselves in a safe relationship with a therapist.

A rationale for the use of dance therapy for the psychological and neuromuscular
impaired people is solely based on the basis that ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny (Sellers,
2013). Children who received dance therapy showed an increase in motor performance
compared to other children who received the usual form of vestibular therapy. Investigations
have showed that programmed movement experiences are very useful in the developing of
sensorimotor skills. Dance therapy provides a very exciting and enjoyable option for the
therapist and the client to the activities that are designed for vestibular sensory integrative
therapy. Furthermore, it may enhance the benefits that are derived from group activity and
socialization so as to be very appropriate for use with adults and children. Dance therapy
requires the least amount of equipment and can thus be used in many environments especially
where there is a scarcity of large play equipment. This supports the idea that more care
agencies should consider this form of therapy because less equipment is less expensive.

The effects that come with dance therapy have in the recent past been employed in the
reduction of stress, anxiety, and other chronic diseases. In many patients, there are always
concerns about treatment for cancers due to the devastating side effects (Sandel, Judge,
Landry, Ouellette & Majczack, 2005). Psychological and physical challenges are experienced
after the processing of the disease. Through research, it has been found out that dance therapy
may have a tremendous impact on the lives of the cancer patients since it acts directly on the
body. Physical exercises and dance movement can lead to the enhancement of a range of

Dance therapy

motion and freedom of total body movement (Lohsle, Hilderman, Cheng, Tatla, & Van,
2014). Through this, it would help create a very positive mood and help facilitate the
psychological adjustment to the traumatizing decision of a cancer diagnosis. The quality of
life is hence achieved through these combined efforts.

In cases where the authentic movement has been tried, dance movement therapy has
helped in the increase of a participants energy and in the reduction of fatigue. Objective and
subjective improvements were also found in a patients mood, self-esteem, and body image.
Patients involved in the study said they had increased the sense of hope, strength, ease, and
social support. They reported a decrease in negative mood and worry about their future, less
depression, and significant change in fatigue and tension scales. Taking part in DMT has
helped so much in the reduction of stress in the young and adult cancer patients.

Women are the most vulnerable to depression compared to men (Sarah & E., 2002). A
risk for the girl child emerges earlier and is at a higher rise down the years compared to the
boys. DMT becomes a primary treatment approach that is very attractive especially for the
women. It can lead to improvement in body image, mood, and improvement in libidinal
aspects of a ladies life. Through DMT, effects of depression were reduced significantly with
more reporting more relaxed lives. I can attest to this fact. Through a series of unfortunate
events in my life, dance has done a lot more in keeping me sane and stabilized. Looking at
the way your own body moves and the shapes it can create can really make someone
appreciate their form hence improving body image. Proprioception and self-perception are
essential aspects in how a person feels about himself or herself as a whole. Confidence can be
reflected in something as simple as how you walk.

Dance therapy

There has been a substantial effect on motor therapy on the cognitive development of
small children. Dancing here is based on the principle that it can utilize qualities like
intelligence, spirituality, and things like spontaneity while the body focuses on the production
of art. In a recent research, it was proved that due to DMT, a child could concentrate well and
develop confidence that later builds poise and an unshakeable personality. Dance being a
form of art can help develop a child in that way because it cultivates creativity. Artistic
interpretation and expression correlate with the brain processes that include grasping and
constructing concepts, creativity and long term memory.

Academic advantages of DMT include maximization of the learning potential, success

at all educational levels, and understanding of how to best study and score better in tests and
tasks. It also helps overcome limitations and stress in the classroom. It has also been found to
expand existing learning strategies for learners. Personal advantages include things like the
improvement of self-esteem, learning best ways to use the brain and gain insight into one's
strengths and weaknesses. It has helped people learn how to enjoy more, develop a liking for
study as well as motivation, and help develop natural abilities and skills (Sarah,2002).

A kinaesthetic learner learns best through experiencing, doing, touching, and activity
in one way or another. In dance motor therapy, there is touch, movement, gross and fine
motor functions. Therefore, it is very useful for kinaesthetic learners. These people process
information in their brains through the sense of touch like shapes and in texture. They will
write so much during lectures but will certainly not visit the notes again. They are so in touch
with their feelings and may feel you on the shoulder multiple times throughout your
conversations. It is possible for them to stand very close to you and fidget with things. Due to
this, they are best suited to dancing Experiential and hands-on learning tasks. Interactive

Dance therapy

learners as kinaesthetic learners tend to forget and lose their attention very quickly. Boredom
and distraction are very possible with them during lectures. In this, they must write notes in
their words so as to recall the most important tasks. Dance therapy helps them to process
information through the sense of touch (Levy & Fran, 2013).

Visual learners must use visual aids to help them get things into perspective. It is
crucial for these students to keep on seeing the aids have a clear view of the intended
message. It is very difficult to give directions and may have problems with a
misinterpretation of words. Dance therapy can provide a visual stimulation in cases of dance
formations and actions. Through dance therapy, it is possible to deal with the visual learners.

Verbal learners prefer hearing materials that are spoken such as in a lecture format. In dance
therapy, they are helped through music, songs, and verbal prompts. To help such learners, it
would be right to make a song that is related to their academic topics to help them learn more.
Therefore, every student can be involved in dance motor therapy.
Retention is best conducted when the student participates in the learning process.
What I hear, I forget. What I see, I remember. What I do, I understand (Bratisl, 2002).
Based on this, Dance therapy is a primary tool to learn. Dance has been over the years been
referred to as the most complete of all present arts. It is believed that dance can utilize
intelligence, spirituality, spontaneity, and discovery while the body produces art. Learning
involves the relation of the subject matter to each other and the world. An example of this
would be freestyle dancing. Learning involves the interpretation and understanding of
reality in a different way. The bodies of two people doing the same movement can look
different. It also means understanding the world through the reinterpretation of knowledge.
Through these, it has been used to add knowledge, memory strategies, current information,

Dance therapy

retaining, and interpretation in dance therapy.

For years, dancing has been seen as a source of entertainment and a way to tone the
body. However, dance can also be used to exercise the mind. In a research experiment, it was
found that dance can make a person very sensitive (Levy & Fran, 2013). Study of dance is
known to develop a rare intellect and concentration that is amazingly acceptable by many.
There are so many physical health benefits that come up with the realm of dance therapy but
also with it come the healing benefits.
Moving in a proper unison with others expels isolation that people place on
themselves. Dance therapy has the power to fuel feelings of unity and strength. Rhythm can
energize while at the same time loosen muscles and reduce anxiety. Fostering of spontaneity
can help the body know that it is a wonderful tool for exploring emotions and realizing of
personal limitations. Moving in a creative manner offers an opportunity to express what is
deep within and at the same time discover new aspects of the surrounding environment.
These are tools that can help one release the needs of the body but through dance.

In India, although there is a classical Indian culture, dance is not thought to be

therapeutic in any way. There are few chances when children can involve both the mind and
their bodies in the learning process. However, it would be possible if a fusion of dance and
academic education were made possible. Dance has been identified as a rich context for the
examination of human memory because dance is communicative, very expressive, nonverbal, universal, temporal, spatial, and also kinesthetic (Noice, 2014).
There are various principles through which dance therapy is built on. Body and mind
interact so as a change in movement can affect total functioning. Movement of a dance
reflects personality. A therapeutic relationship is established non-verbally especially when

Dance therapy

the therapist mirrors the clients change. Someones movement contains a symbolic function
and such can be evidence of an unconscious process. Through movement improvisation, the
client is allowed to experiment with new ways of being who they are. Dance therapy provides
a sense of completeness to all individuals (Dasgupta, 2013).

During a dance therapy, there is a creative process that occurs that consists of four
stages. Each stage provides a small set of goal that correlates to the larger purpose of dance
therapy. Steps and goals of DMT vary from individual from individual. There is preparation
where a safety is established followed by incubation where relaxation is involved. It is in the
incubation stage where one should let go off conscious control and movements become
symbolic. In the illumination phase, meanings become apparent and can have positive or
adverse effects. Evaluation to discuss the significance of the process and to prepare for the
end of therapy is crucial.

The very first management for children with schizophrenia is at most times
antipsychotic drugs that focus on the positive symptoms instead of the negative ones. Also,
these medications have very severe side effects like weight gains, shaking, tremors, and
muscle stiffness. In a study, 45 participants were involved in determining what role dance
therapy would play in helping children with schizophrenia (Hummerlsheim, 1999). Another
standard care was also put in line to help come up with a valid conclusion. There was no
difference that was found in the people who engaged in the dance therapy compared to those
who did not.
Those who participated in dance therapy were found to have a reduction in the
adverse effects of schizophrenia. Due to the limited findings of the research, there is tiny
evidence to be for or against dance as a therapy for schizophrenia. Further research is needed

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to clarify whether dance therapy would be a holistic and effective treatment for those
suffering from schizophrenia. It should be done on the line of those negative symptoms that
do less with the help of antipsychotic drugs.

Current cancer care has increasingly incorporated psychosocial interventions. Cancer

patients now use dance therapy in learning how to accept and also reconnect with their
bodies. It has also helped them build new self-confidence, enhance self-expression, address
feelings of isolation, depression, fear, anger, and to strengthen personal resources (Berrol &
Katz, 1985). Objectives for a study done were focused on the comparison of the effects of
dance therapy and standard care, standard care alone or standard care in conjunction with
other interventions in cancer patients. Main results did not show any effect of movement
therapy on the body image of women suffering from breast cancer.
However, it was found out that dance therapy had a colossal and beneficial effect on a
womans quality of life. In conclusion, the author suggested that there was no impact of
dance therapy on body image. Although there may be improved the quality of life, a limited
number of credible studies prevents us from the conclusion that dance movement has any
effect on physical and psychological outcomes in patients with cancer other than stress
reduction. To make a valid conclusion on the importance of dance in cancer patients, more
research is necessary.

Through case studies and extensive research, it has been proven that dance therapy is
very useful for people with head injuries. It has been seen as an integrative approach to motor
planning limitations (Berrol & Katz, 1985).

It is clearly evident that there has been widespread of the use of dance therapy as an

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intervention for many health problems. The American Dance Therapy Association and also
the Association for Dance Movement Therapy has maintained a very high level of
professionalism in the field. DMT is now widely used for psychotherapy and also physical
therapy. Through the research and dedicated professionals to use dance therapy to change
lives, it is possible to better the quality of lives of the affected. Although much has not been
examined in the field of dance therapy, it is very evident that it is a great stride in the world.

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Referencing
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Blasing., ,. B., Calvo-Merino, .. B., Cross, .. E., Jola, .. C., Honisch, J., & Stevens, C. (2012).
Neurocognitive Control in dance perception and performance. Acta psychologica,
300-308.
Bratisl, ,. L. (2002, February 6). Clinical neurokinesiology of spastic gait. Retrieved August
19, 2015, from http;www.bmj.sk/2002/10301-o1.pdf
Dale, ,. J., Hyatt, J., & Holleyman, J. (2007). The neuroscience of dance and the dance of
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Dasgupta, M. (2013). The efficacy of dance/movement therapy as revealed through the
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Duignan, D., Hedley, L., Milverton, R. (2009). Exploring dance as a therapy for
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Hummerlsheim, ,. H. (1999). Rationales for improving motor function. Current opinion in
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Levy, & Fran, J. (2013, August 12). Dance therapy movement. Retrieved August 19, 2015,
from http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED291746.pdf

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Lohsle, ,. K., Hilderman, .. C., Cheng, K. L., Tatla, S., & Van, D. I. (2014). Virtual
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