Improving the quality of life for both the person with Parkinson’s and the caregiver : the contribution of movement as an artistic and expressive medium

Abstract

The last decade has seen a significant increase in research into the therapeutic effect dance has on people with Parkinson’s disease. On the basis of evidence provided by healthcare practitioners, dance scholars, neurologists, and psychotherapists, it is now recognised that creative and expressive movement has a beneficial effect on both people with Parkinson’s disease and their caregivers. The aim of this Practice as Research project was to establish and explore the specific ways in which artistic and expressive movement can improve the quality of life for people with Parkinson’s disease and their caregivers. The intervention took place over a period of twelve weeks and involved twice-weekly one-and-a-half-hour artistic and expressive movement classes focusing on both categories of participants. Due to the progression of the disease, caring for a Parkinson’s sufferer typically becomes increasingly straining in emotional and physical terms. Moreover, the diagnosis of the disease does not only change the life of the sufferer, but it also changes the dynamics in the whole family, especially considering the fact that a spouse or family member often becomes the informal caregiver. The existing literature on the subject clearly shows that there is generally not enough support for this role. A methodology was thus formulated and employed to allow the person with Parkinson’s disease and their caregiver to take part in dance movement classes together. It quickly emerged that in addition to the physical benefits this had for the person with Parkinson’s disease, there was also a positive psychological impact on the participating caregivers. The intervention gave both categories of participants the opportunity to access a safe space in which they could move and express themselves, and this in turn tended to significantly strengthen the connection between the two.