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. 2020 Jan-Dec:35:1533317519860331.
doi: 10.1177/1533317519860331. Epub 2019 Jul 14.

The Effects of Intuitive Movement Reembodiment on the Quality of Life of Older Adults With Dementia: A Pilot Study

Ting Choo  1 , Yoram Barak  2 , Ali East  1
Affiliations

The Effects of Intuitive Movement Reembodiment on the Quality of Life of Older Adults With Dementia: A Pilot Study

Ting Choo et al. Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen. 2020 Jan-Dec.

Abstract

Background: The creative use of reminiscent music and natural movements were reported to have positive effects on the well-being of older adults with cognitive impairment.

Objectives: To explore the effects of the intuitive movement reembodiment (IMR) program on the quality of life (QoL) of older adults with dementia.

Methods: Data collected from 22 participants were analyzed: group 1 (mild dementia), group 2 (moderate dementia), group 3 (advanced dementia). All study groups participated in 10 weekly sessions. Self-reported QoL ratings were gathered through using the World Health Organisation (WHO)-5 questionnaire, alongside qualitative evidence recorded through onsite observation.

Results: Statistically significant improvement in QoL was demonstrated after session 6. The qualitative analysis showed that the IMR sessions provided a sense of humor, imagination, and intuition that motivated the participants to dance and interact with joy.

Conclusion: These preliminary positive findings need to be replicated in a larger randomized controlled trial.

Keywords: creative; dance; dementia; embodiment; intuition; movement; music; quality of life.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

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