Leave your Wheelie walkers at the door...LETS DANCE

1. Leave your Wheelie walkers at the door...LETS DANCE Practical workshop and personal research journey

2. Introduction • Part one: The story behind the research project; “Effects of Creative Movement to music on residents of an aged care facility” • Part two: Practical workshop (you will all be required to move) Rachel O'Loughlin ARHC Port Macquarie Nov 2011

3. Statement of Position Lifelong passion for dance, eclectic training; Physiotherapist since 1987 and completed BA in dance 1998 Shameless proselytiser of the benefits/ power/ joy of dance and believe it has tremendous potential in the health field Rachel O'Loughlin ARHC Port Macquarie Nov 2011

4. A few dance quotes • “Without music, life would be a mistake..I would only believe in a god who would dance.”..Nietzche • “The one thing that could solve most of our problems is dancing”..James Brown

5. And... • “I see dance as being used as communication between body and soul..to express what is too deep to find for words”...Ruth St Denis • “Dance is the hidden language of the soul”...Martha Graham • “To watch us dance is to hear our hearts speak”...Hopi Indian saying Rachel O'Loughlin ARHC Port Macquarie Nov 2011

6. Power of dance Rachel O'Loughlin ARHC Port Macquarie Nov 2011

7. Dance definitions To move rhythmically to music, typically following a set sequence of steps .(oxford English dictionary) To move rhythmically, usually to music using prescribed or improvised steps and gestures (www.thefreedicitonary.com) Rachel O'Loughlin ARHC Port Macquarie Nov 2011

8. An Inspirational Music Quote • (Oliver Sacks) In reference to those suffering with dementia; “Music is no luxury to them, but a necessity and can have power beyond anything else to restore them to themselves and to others, at least for a little while.” (from Musicophilia 2007) Rachel O'Loughlin ARHC Port Macquarie Nov 2011

9. A seed was planted... • Sponsorship to attend 9th National Rural Health conference 2007 unveiled to me that arts in health is respected and growing field • 2007 Intake of (then) IRCST rural research capacity building program enabled funding and support to conduct research project appropriate to region (high proportion of aged) and my own expertise Rachel O'Loughlin ARHC Port Macquarie Nov 2011

10. Areas of overlap between the disciplines Rachel O'Loughlin ARHC Port MacquarieNov 2011

11. Literature Review/ current evidence • Group Exercise interventions reduce risk and rate of falls, and these strategies can be cost saving (Cochrane library, 2009) • In retirement villages, group programs have better adherence and compliance in the long term than individual programs (Cyarto , 2006) • Clients showed significant improvements in cognition following a music based exercise group compared with a control group receiving conversation and attention (Van de Winckel 2004) Rachel O'Loughlin ARHC Port Macquarie Nov 2011

12. Evidence (continued) • For Institutionalised elders, agitated behaviours were significantly reduced in a group who had exercise to music (compared to control group (Sung 2006) • For Parkinson’s sufferers, there were better improvements in balance and mobility for a group learning tango than the control group with exercises (Hackney, 2007) Rachel O'Loughlin ARHC Port Macquarie Nov 2011

13. Research outline • Recruitment of a local aged care facility • Ethics approval and consents obtained • Individual assessments of consenting participants consisting of TUG, GDS and Tinetti balance scale both before and on completion of the program • Participation in a once/ week for 14 weeks class of creative movement to music. Rachel O'Loughlin ARHC Port Macquarie Nov 2011

14. Music choice Ideas • Varied to suit different tastes • With a discernable beat • Popular in their younger years…(40’s, 50’s , 60’s (and 70’s in the next 10 years) Rachel O'Loughlin ARHC Port Macquarie Nov 2011

15. Participant information • 17 interviewed at post assessment (2 to 3 weeks after classes finished) • 3/17 could not remember doing classes • 15/17 enjoyed and would continue if given opportunity Rachel O'Loughlin ARHC Port Macquarie Nov 2011

16. Results summary for falls risk categories and depression levels

17. Continuing programs • Since completion of the research the facility has employed a qualified Dance Movement therapist, who has introduced a program within the high care, dementia specific ward. • Individual anecdotal evidence is very promising with consistent observed uplifts in mood, and increases in engagement. Rachel O'Loughlin ARHC Port Macquarie Nov 2011

18. Rachel O'Loughlin ARHC Port Macquarie Nov 2011

19. In summary • Hard evidence IS available to demonstrate benefits of exercise in the issue of falls prevention • Growing body of evidence available for benefits of music with respect to elderly and those with dementia. • Some evidence shows more improvement in dance than with just exercise Rachel O'Loughlin ARHC Port Macquarie Nov 2011

20. Take home messages Exercise Caution For example: use medical release forms; consent, go slow, use balance supports; have some guidance from a qualified practitioner when setting up Have Fun... (Enjoy, see a new side of the client)... Rachel O'Loughlin ARHC Port Macquarie Nov 2011

21. Acknowledgements • Thanks to Dalmeny IRT Nursing Home • NSW Health Southern NSW Local Health Network • CETI Rural Division Rachel O'Loughlin ARHC Port Macquarie Nov 2011

22. For further information... • For the full report and references go to www.ruralceti.health.nsw.gov.au and click on the “rural research capacity building program” then follow links to “view completed projects” (2007 intake) • Contact details • Rachel O’Loughlin, Physiotherapy dept • Eurobodalla Community Health NSW • Rachel.Oloughlin@gsahs.health.nsw.gov.au Rachel O'Loughlin ARHC Port Macquarie Nov 2011