‘Dancing down memory lane’: circle dancing as a psychotherapeutic intervention in dementia: a pilot study

Background: There is increasing recognition that psychological interventions for people with dementia and their carers are of value. Neuropsychological considerations and an exploration of the literature point towards the potential benefits of non-verbal, body-oriented interventions to work psychotherapeutically with people as their cognitive abilities deteriorate.

Method: A total of 18 people (11 people with moderate-to-severe dementia and 7 family carers) consented to partake. Measures were completed before and after the group therapy (45 minutes once a week for 10 weeks). Weekly progress monitoring sheets were completed and participants were interviewed after the group for their views.

Results: The therapeutic intervention had a positive impact on participants’ general well-being and mood, including improving people’s concentration and communication with others.

Discussion: The results of the pilot study support using therapeutic circle dance as a body-oriented psychological intervention for people with dementia and their carers. Further studies with more stringent methodologies in larger samples are required.