Article

PURPOSE: To understand why individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) participate
in a community-based therapeutic dance program and to explore its influence on
perceived physical, social and emotional well-being of participants. METHODS: A
qualitative descriptive design was employed using one-on-one semi-structured
interviews. Individuals with PD who participated in the Dancing with Parkinson's
program were recruited from two locations. Interviews were audio-recorded,
transcribed, de-identified and then placed into NVivo 10 software for analysis. A
content analysis approach was used with an inductive analysis method to generate
a coding scheme. Group discussion facilitated development of overarching themes.
RESULTS: Ten participants' responses revealed that the dance program allows for
self-improvement and regaining identity through disease self-management. Positive
influences of socialization arose through the class, decreasing isolation and
improving quality of life. Participants communicate through music and dance to
enhance connection with others. CONCLUSIONS: Dancing with Parkinson's classes
allow for re-development of the social self, which can increase sense of
enjoyment in life. Dance programs provide opportunities for social interaction,
non-verbal communication and self-improvement, reestablishing self-identity and a
sense of usefulness. This study provides unique insight into the experience of
participating in a dance program from the perspective of individuals with PD.
Implications for rehabilitation Dance is emerging as a strategy to address the
physical and psychosocial effects of Parkinson's disease (PD), but little is
known regarding participants' perceptions of community-based therapeutic dance
programs for PD. This study found that Dancing with Parkinson's (DWP) facilitated
an improvement in social participation, resulting in decreased isolation and
improved quality of life. Participation in the DWP program can facilitate a
positive change in perspective and attitude toward a PD diagnosis, thereby
increasing feelings of self-efficacy and improving self-management of the
disease. Participants of this study emphasized the multifaceted benefits of DWP,
suggesting that it has great potential for addressing not only the physical
challenges, but also the cognitive and emotional challenges associated with PD.

Langue : ANGLAIS