Date of Award
Spring 5-21-2022
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
MA - Master of Arts
Department
Expressive Therapies
Advisor
Rebecca Zarate
Abstract
Individuals living with dementia suffer from degenerative cognitive functioning, which in turn makes it difficult for language, emotions, social behavior, reasoning, balance, muscle function and automatic functions. The researcher reviewed literature available to better ground themselves in the importance of recognizing and expanding sense of self for those living with dementia. A dance/movement therapy group focused on prop work in a residential memory care facility with men and women living with different forms of dementia was formed. Verbal and non-verbal responses were recorded in regard to three therapeutic themes: body autonomy, prop work, and therapeutic touch. Results from the self-observations showed an impact on the ability of individuals living with dementia to expand upon their sense of self by demonstrating positive body autonomy, granting permission of therapeutic touch, and exploring a prop authentically.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Metrolis, Brittany, "Dance/Movement Therapy and a Positive Impact on Sense of Self for Individuals Living with Dementia: Development of a Method" (2022). Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses. 536.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_theses/536
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