Movement through the storm: integrating dance and biomechanical principles in dance/movement therapy services for people with multiple sclerosis

Rachel M. DeLauder

doi:10.17918/00001532

The article will examine the impacts of dance, dance/movement therapy (DMT), biomechanical principles, and somatic dance techniques on women living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in dance and fitness programs to provide a lens for recommendations in therapeutic programs for people with MS through virtual services. The first case vignette of the in-person non-profit organization exercise program work with a woman diagnosed with Secondary-Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS) will demonstrate outcomes from the integration of biomechanics, kinesthetic imagery, ballet, and resistance training. The woman reported the interventions aided with improving fine motor skills, muscular strength, balance, alleviation of MS-related spasticity and chronic pain, and building autonomy to work through daily functional challenges. The second and third vignettes showcase the virtual dance work with the arts in medicine (AIM) participatory online program, with two women diagnosed with MS. The second case vignette will highlight mind-body-based approaches in visual and kinesthetic imagery and ballet techniques that were applied in the five elements of dance. The women reported indicators of the interventions assisting with balance and memory. The third case vignette will demonstrate a hybrid model using modalities in dance and writing composition, and movement observations on a woman with a movement background in ballet. Visual imagery and ballet helped with factors and concepts of enhancing body awareness and motor learning. The woman reported an enhancement in her energy level. The interventions aided the women herein the in-person and virtual work, and will demonstrate the integration of somatic dance education and biomechanics to develop a DMT telehealth program to offer physical and psychological support for health and emotional wellness. Second, dance interventions will demonstrate approaches to building a mind and body awareness, spatial orientation to improve sensorimotor skills, motor control, coordination, memory, and balance. The AIM and healthcare model could offer potential therapeutic and clinical recommendations for feasible DMT therapy programs that are gear towards providing telehealth therapy services for MS patients who represent populations in rural areas. Further, the non-profit organization's exercise model could offer potential insight into forming partnerships between the university and local communities to deliver accessible services for people with MS who face challenges with disabilities. Findings will also provide further recommendations for DMT individual and group programs in telehealth services to enhance effective treatment in disease management and relapse recovery. The article manuscript seeks to demonstrate the beneficial impact of dance and rehabilitation methods that are interwoven into interventions to augment MS participants' balance and memory within an online dance program. Second, the article will highlight the effects of the interventions on the aspects of identity, self-expression, self-efficacy, social engagement, and interpersonal connection. Lastly, the article will fulfill the gaps in developing DMT individual and group therapy programs for people living with MS and providing telehealth therapy services.

Movement through the storm: integrating dance and biomechanical principles in dance/movement therapy services for people with multiple sclerosis

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Movement through the storm: integrating dance and biomechanical principles in dance/movement therapy services for people with multiple sclerosis

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