Integrates individual clinical expertise and patient values with the best available external clinical evidence
According to various studies, individuals with a mental illness live a sedentary lifestyle, which often leads to obesity and/or other health complications (Davies, 2016; Brown and Stoffel, 2011). This lifestyle can also limit their ability to engage with the community. During the first few weeks at my third level 2 fieldwork, I learned some basic clinical knowledge when working with this population. Gross motor movements are often difficult for this population due to poor awareness of their limbs in space (proprioception). Additionally, they may also have a poor sense of direction due to that impaired proprioception, which impacts their ability to participate in dancing and large-scale game activities (Manville, 2018; Walther and Strik, 2012).
Many of these individuals want to fit in with their peers but may struggle to do so. Dancing is a great way to socially integrate these individuals into the community, however, for these individuals it may be a stressful event due to their inability to coordinate movements.
The evidence supports dancing to be a great form of physical activity, especially for young adults with mental illness. In fact, it has been shown to "reduce anxiety, depression, and negative mood" while also improving "self-esteem and cognitive functioning" (Callaghan, 2004). This is especially beneficial to "the quality of life" for those "living with Schizophrenia" (Callaghan, 2004). Additionally, dancing can improve balance, coordination and endurance, which are obviously necessary skills for individuals with schizophrenia, as previously mentioned. Dancing has also been shown to have long-term effects on mental health (Mentalhealthscreening.org, 2016). It also serves as a social outlet in general, which can also affect an individual's mood and mental health (Mentalhealthscreening.org, 2016). Dancing may create an opportunity for these individuals to meet other peers around their age. The social component may keep these individuals motivated to participate in a weekly dance group which may ultimately reduce this population’s obesity rates and additional health complications. According to Repper and Carter (2011), "the employment of peer support workers (PSWs) in mental health services...shows great promise in facilitating recovery". The same concept in a dance setting could prove to be just as beneficial as the individual's meeting a same-aged stranger at a dance studio.
Many of these individuals want to fit in with their peers but may struggle to do so. Dancing is a great way to socially integrate these individuals into the community, however, for these individuals it may be a stressful event due to their inability to coordinate movements.
The evidence supports dancing to be a great form of physical activity, especially for young adults with mental illness. In fact, it has been shown to "reduce anxiety, depression, and negative mood" while also improving "self-esteem and cognitive functioning" (Callaghan, 2004). This is especially beneficial to "the quality of life" for those "living with Schizophrenia" (Callaghan, 2004). Additionally, dancing can improve balance, coordination and endurance, which are obviously necessary skills for individuals with schizophrenia, as previously mentioned. Dancing has also been shown to have long-term effects on mental health (Mentalhealthscreening.org, 2016). It also serves as a social outlet in general, which can also affect an individual's mood and mental health (Mentalhealthscreening.org, 2016). Dancing may create an opportunity for these individuals to meet other peers around their age. The social component may keep these individuals motivated to participate in a weekly dance group which may ultimately reduce this population’s obesity rates and additional health complications. According to Repper and Carter (2011), "the employment of peer support workers (PSWs) in mental health services...shows great promise in facilitating recovery". The same concept in a dance setting could prove to be just as beneficial as the individual's meeting a same-aged stranger at a dance studio.
Brown, C. and Stoffel, V. (2011). Occupational therapy in mental health.
C. Manville (personal communication, January 18, 2018) Davies, N. (2016). Mental illness and obesity. Psychiatry Advisor. Wilther, S. and Strik, W. (2012). Motor symptoms and schizophrenia. Neuropsychobiology, 66, 77-92. |