Background: Achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism, is a lifelong condition, and impacted persons often face issues of health and wellbeing. For this cohort, the effectiveness of arts-based programs, such as dance or augmented dance sessions, needs to be studied. Methods: For this nonequivalent comparison group quasi-experimental study, the impacts of dance sessions and augmented dance sessions (comprising added spiritual content), both delivered online, on the self-esteem and wellbeing outcomes of young adults with achondroplasia were compared. Results: Participants of the augmented dance sessions reported significant improvements on self-esteem and wellbeing outcomes. The comparison cohort who did the dance sessions alone did not have any significant post-test outcome score changes. Gender, education, and program compliance were significant predictors of post-test outcome score changes of the intervention group. Discriminant analyses suggested that young adult females, those with higher formal education (postgraduate or vocational degrees) and whose program compliance was higher (>50% augmented dance sessions attended and corresponding homework sessions completed), gained most. Conclusions: With an added component of meditation, dance can be a creative community-based intervention that nurses may use in working with young adults with achondroplasia. Augmented dance sessions with added spiritual content are thus impactful for diverse participants.
AbbottR.PloubidisG.HuppertF.KuhD.CroudaceT. (2010). An evaluation of the precision of measurement of Ryff’s psychological well-being scales in a population sample. Social Indicators Research, 97(3), 357–373. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-009-9506-x
AlqarniT.HammadM. (2021). Effects of mindfulness training program on the impulsivity among students with learning disabilities. Journal of Educational and Social Research, 11(4), 190. https://doi.org/10.36941/jesr-2021-0088
4.
AndersonS.LeylandS.LingJ. (2017). Gender differences in motivation for participation in extra-curricular dance: Application of the theory of planned behaviour. Research in Dance Education, 18(2), 150–160. https://doi.org/10.1080/14647893.2017.1330325
5.
ArnheimN.CalabreseP. (2016). Germline stem cell competition, mutation hot spots, genetic disorders, and older fathers. Annual Review of Genomics and Human Genetics, 17(1), 219–243. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-genom-083115-022656
6.
BackeljauwP.CappaM.KiessW.LawL.CooksonC.SertC.WhalenJ.DattaniM. (2021). Impact of short stature on quality of life: A systematic literature review. Growth Hormone & IGF Research, 57-58, 101392. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ghir.2021.101392
7.
BeeseR. J.RingdahlD. (2018). Enhancing spiritually based care through gratitude practices: A health-care improvement project. Creative Nursing, 24(1), 42–51. https://doi.org/10.1891/1078-4535.24.1.42
8.
BilitzaM. (2021). Being the facilitator: A brief research report on the motivation of the choreographer and dance maker to work with heterogeneous groups in a community dance setting. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 601033. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.601033
9.
BrittonW.LindahlJ.CooperD.CanbyN.PalitskyR. (2021). Defining and measuring meditation-related adverse effects in mindfulness-based programs. Clinical Psychological Science, 9(6), 1185–1204. https://doi.org/10.1177/2167702621996340
10.
ButlerG.TurlejskiT.WalesG.BaileyL.WrightN. (2019). Growth hormone treatment and health-related quality of life in children and adolescents: A national, prospective, one-year controlled study. Clinical Endocrinology, 91(2), 304–313. https://doi.org/10.1111/cen.14011
11.
CarterE. W. (2021). Spirituality and supports for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. In GliddenL. M.AbbedutoL.McIntyreL. L.TasséM. J. (Eds.), APA Handbook of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Clinical and Educational Implications: Prevention, intervention, and treatment (pp. 419–442). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/0000195-016
12.
ColquhounD. (2019). The false positive risk: A proposal concerning what to do about p-values. The American Statistician, 73(sup1), 192–201. https://doi.org/10.1080/00031305.2018.1529622
13.
ConstantinidesC.LandisS. H.JarrettJ.QuinnJ.IrelandP. J. (2022). Quality of life, physical functioning, and psychosocial function among patients with achondroplasia: A targeted literature review. Disability and Rehabilitation, 44(21), 6166–6178. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2021.1963853
14.
CreeR. A.OkoroC. A.ZackM. M.CarboneE. (2020). Frequent mental distress among adults, by disability status, disability type, and selected characteristics - United States, 2018. MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 69(36), 1238–1243. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6936a2
15.
EnriqueA.PalaciosJ.RyanH.RichardsD. (2019). Exploring the relationship between usage and outcomes of an internet-based intervention for individuals with depressive symptoms: Secondary analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 21(8), e12775. https://doi.org/10.2196/12775
16.
FerraroF.AmbraF. I.ArutaL.IavaroneM. (2020). Distance learning in the COVID-19 era: Perceptions in southern Italy. Education Sciences, 10(12), 355. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci10120355
17.
FinlayK.HearnJ.ChaterA. (2021). Grieving a disrupted biography: An interpretative phenomenological analysis exploring barriers to the use of mindfulness after neurological injury or impairment. BMC Psychology, 9, 124. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-021-00628-0
18.
ForemanP.van KesselF.van HoornR.van den BoschJ.ShediacR.LandisS. (2020). Birth prevalence of achondroplasia: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis. American Journal of Medical Genetics, 182(10), 2297–2316. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajmg.a.61787
19.
FredwallS.MaanumG.JohansenH.SnekkevikH.SavarirayanR.LidalI. (2020). Current knowledge of medical complications in adults with achondroplasia: A scoping review. Clinical Genetics, 97(1), 179–197. https://doi.org/10.1111/cge.13542
20.
GolemanD.DavidsonR. (2017). Altered traits: Science reveals how meditation changes your mind, brain, and body. Avery.
21.
GoodyearV. A.KernerC.QuennerstedtM. (2019). Young people’s uses of wearable healthy lifestyle technologies; surveillance, self-surveillance and resistance. Sport, Education and Society, 24(3), 212–225. https://doi.org/10.1080/13573322.2017.1375907
22.
GoodyearV.SkinnerB.McKeeverJ.GriffithsM. (2023). The influence of online physical activity interventions on children and young people’s engagement with physical activity: A systematic review. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 28(1), 94–108. https://doi.org/10.1080/17408989.2021.1953459
23.
GorielyA.WilkieA. O. (2012). Paternal age effect mutations and selfish spermatogonial selection: Causes and consequences for human disease. American Journal of Human Genetics, 90(2), 175–200. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajhg.2011.12.017
24.
HadleyR.Eastwood-GrayO.KiddierM.RoseD.PonzoS. (2020). Dance like nobody’s watching: Exploring the role of dance-based interventions in perceived well-being and bodily awareness in people with Parkinson’s. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 531567. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.531567
HallJ.AdelsonB. (2005). Dwarfism: Medical and psychosocial aspects of profound short stature. Johns Hopkins University Press.
27.
HermansC. (2016). Differences in itself: Redefining disability through dance. Social Inclusion, 4(4), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.17645/si.v4i4.699
28.
InnesK.MontgomeryC.SelfeT.WenS.KhalsaD.FlickM. (2021). Incorporating a usual care comparator into a study of meditation and music listening for older adults with subjective cognitive decline: A randomized feasibility trial. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease Reports, 5(1), 187–206. https://doi.org/10.3233/ADR-200249
29.
InnesK.SelfeT.BrundageK.MontgomeryC.WenS.KandatiS.BowlesH.KhalsaD.HuysmansZ. (2018). Effects of meditation and music-listening on blood biomarkers of cellular aging and Alzheimer’s disease in adults with subjective cognitive decline: An exploratory randomized clinical trial. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 66(3), 947–970. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-180164
30.
InnesK.SelfeT.KhalsaD.KandatiS. (2016). Effects of meditation versus music listening on perceived stress, mood, sleep, and quality of life in adults with early memory loss: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 52(4), 1277–1298. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-151106
31.
IrelandP.DonagheyS.McGillJ.ZanklA.WareR.PaceyV.AultJ.SavarirayanR.SillenceD.ThompsonE.TownshendS.JohnstonL. (2012). Development in children with achondroplasia: A prospective clinical cohort study. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 54(6), 532–537. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8749.2012.04234.x
LakeS.MacHaleR. (2022). Mindfulness matters: A pilot study of a mindfulness-based stress reduction group for adults with intellectual disabilities. British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 50(3), 412–421. https://doi.org/10.1111/bld.12435
Leiva-GeaA.Delgado-RufinoF.Queipo-de-LlanoA.Mariscal-LaraJ.Lombardo-TorreM.Luna-GonzálezF. (2020). Staged upper and lower limb lengthening performing bilateral simultaneous surgery of the femur and tibia in achondroplastic patients. Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, 140(11), 1665–1676. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-020-03360-3
36.
López-OrtizC.Gaebler-SpiraD.MckeemanS.McnishR.GreenD. (2019). Dance and rehabilitation in cerebral palsy: A systematic search and review. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 61(4), 393–398. https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.14064
37.
LundqvistL.-O.MatérneM.GranbergA.FrankA.ArvidssonP.DubergA. (2020). Structured water dance intervention (SWAN) for adults with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities: Study protocol. Heliyon, 6(7), e04242. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04242
38.
MacGregorL. (2021). Embodied spirituality: Maternal reflections on intellectual ableism, worship, and the embodied leadership of people with intellectual disabilities. Canadian Journal of Theology, Mental Health, and Disabilities, 1(1), 55–65. https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/cjtmhd/article/view/35012
39.
MashederJ.FjorbackL.ParsonsC. (2020). I am getting something out of this, so I am going to stick with it: Supporting participants’ home practice in mindfulness-based programmes. BMC Psychology, 8, 91. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-020-00453-x
40.
MateuM.GarcíasS.SpadaforaL.AndrésA.FebrerE. (2021). Student moods before and after body expression and dance assessments: Gender perspective. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 612811. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.612811
41.
MatkoK.OttU.SedlmeierP. (2021). What do meditators do when they meditate? Proposing a novel basis for future meditation research. Mindfulness, 12(7), 1791–1811. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-021-01641-5
42.
MillardO.LindorE.PapadopoulosN.SivaratnamC.McGillivrayJ.RinehartN. (2021). Allplay dance: Two pilot dance projects for children with disability, developed and assessed with a dance studies approach. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 567055. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.567055
43.
MooreT.ChaneyC.SkipperA. (2021). Put God above all [and He] will glorify your marriage: Relational spirituality in black couples. Marriage & Family Review, 57(8), 673–699. https://doi.org/10.1080/01494929.2021.1887048
44.
MüllerP.RehfeldK.SchmickerM.HökelmannA.DordevicM.LessmannV.BrigadskiT.KaufmannJ.MüllerN. G. (2017). Evolution of neuroplasticity in response to physical activity in old age: The case for dancing. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 9, 56. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2017.00056
45.
MurtonM. C.DraneE. L. A.Goff-LeggettD. M.ShediacR.O'HaraJ.IrvingM.ButtT. J. (2023). Burden and treatment of achondroplasia: A systematic literature review. Advances in Therapy, 40(9), 3639–3680. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12325-023-02549-3
46.
PargamentK.LomaxJ.McGeeJ.FangQ. (2014). Sacred moments in psychotherapy from the perspectives of mental health providers and clients: Prevalence, predictors, and consequences. Spirituality in Clinical Practice, 1(4), 248–262. https://doi.org/10.1037/scp0000043
47.
ParkJ.-Y.ParkE.-Y. (2019). The rasch analysis of Rosenberg self-esteem scale in individuals with intellectual disabilities. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 1992. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01992
48.
ParsonsC.CraneC.ParsonsL.FjorbackL.KuykenW. (2017). Home practice in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction: A systematic review and meta-analysis of participants’ mindfulness practice and its association with outcomes. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 95, 29–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2017.05.004
49.
PattersonK.WongJ.ProutE.BrooksD. (2018). Dance for the rehabilitation of balance and gait in adults with neurological conditions other than Parkinson’s disease: A systematic review. Heliyon, 4(3), e00584. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e00584
PfeifferK.BrodM.SmithA.GianettoniJ.ViuffD.OtaS.CharltonR. (2021). Assessing the impacts of having a child with achondroplasia on parent well-being. Quality of Life Research, 30(1), 203–215. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-020-02594-3
52.
PoikonenH.ToiviainenP.TervaniemiM. (2018). Dance on cortex: Enhanced theta synchrony in experts when watching a dance piece. European Journal of Neuroscience, 47(5), 433–445. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejn.13838
53.
PritchardE. (2014). Body size and the built environment: Creating an inclusive built environment using universal design. Geography Compass, 8(1), 63–73. https://doi.org/10.1111/gec3.12108
54.
PritchardE. (2019). Female researcher safety: The difficulties of recruiting participants at conventions for people with dwarfism. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 22(5), 503–515. https://doi.org/10.1080/13645579.2019.1590896
55.
PritchardE. (2021). Incongruous encounters: The problem of accessing accessible spaces for people with dwarfism. Disability & Society, 36(4), 541–560. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2020.1755236
56.
PritchardE.KruseR. (2020). Cultural representations of dwarfism. Journal of Literary & Cultural Disability Studies, 14(2), 131–136. https://doi.org/10.3828/jlcds.2020.6
57.
RojianiR.SantoyoJ.RahrigH.RothH.BrittonW. (2017). Women benefit more than men in response to college-based meditation training. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 551. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00551
58.
RosenbergM. (1965). Society and the adolescent self-image. Princeton University Press.
RyffC. (1989). Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57(6), 1069–1081. https://doi.org/10.1037%2F0022-3514.57.6.1069
61.
SasakiN.WatanabeK.ImamuraK.NishiD.KarasawaM.KanC.RyffC.KawakamiN. (2020). Japanese version of the 42-item psychological well-being scale (PWBS-42): A validation study. BMC Psychology, 8, 75. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-020-00441-1
62.
SauerS.WalachH.SchmidtS.HinterbergerT.LynchS.BüssingA.KohlsN. (2013). Assessment of mindfulness: Review on state of the art. Mindfulness, 4(1), 3–17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-012-0122-5
63.
SavarirayanR.IrelandP.IrvingM.ThompsonD.AlvesI.BaratelaW. A. R.BettsJ.BoberM. B.BoeroS.BriddellJ.CampbellJ.CampeauP. M.Carl-InnigP.CheungM. S.CobourneM.Cormier-DaireV.Deladure-MollaM.Del PinoM.ElphickH.FanoV.FredwallS. O. (2022). International consensus statement on the diagnosis, multidisciplinary management and lifelong care of individuals with achondroplasia. Nature Reviews. Endocrinology, 18(3), 173–189. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41574-021-00595-x
64.
TangR.BraverT. (2020). Predicting individual preferences in mindfulness techniques using personality traits. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1163. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01163
65.
UpchurchD.JohnsonP. (2019). Gender differences in prevalence, patterns, purposes, and perceived benefits of meditation practices in the United States. Journal of Women's Health, 28(2), 135–142. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2018.7178
66.
VillaniD.SorgenteA.IannelloP.AntoniettiA. (2019). The role of spirituality and religiosity in subjective well-being of individuals with different religious status. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 1525. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01525
67.
WangY.LiuM.TanY.DongZ.WuJ.CuiH.ShenD.ChiI. (2022). Effectiveness of dance-based interventions on depression for persons with MCI and dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 709208. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.709208
68.
WilsonA. (2020). Book review: Spiritual herstories: Call of the soul in dance research. Amanda Williamson & Barbara Sellers-Young, eds. Journal of Dance Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/15290824.2020.1831282.
69.
WittS.KolbB.BloemekeJ.MohnikeK.BullingerM.QuitmannJ. (2019). Quality of life of children with achondroplasia and their parents—A German cross-sectional study. Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases, 14(1), 194. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13023-019-1171-9
70.
WittS.RohenkohlA.BullingerM.SommerR.KahrsS.KlingebielK. H.KlingebielR.QuitmannJ. (2017). Understanding, assessing and improving health-related quality of life of young people with achondroplasia—A collaboration between a patient organization and academic medicine. Pediatric Endocrinology Reviews, 15(Suppl 1), 109–118. https://doi.org/10.17458/per.vol15.2017.wrm.improvinghealthrelatedquality
71.
WrobelW.PachE.Ben-SkowronekI. (2021). Advantages and disadvantages of different treatment methods in achondroplasia: A review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(11), 5573. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22115573
72.
YonkoE.EmanuelJ.CarterE.RaggioC. (2021). Quality of life in adults with achondroplasia in the United States. American Journal of Medical Genetics, 185(3), 695–701. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajmg.a.62018
73.
ZainudinZ.RasidN.YusopY.OthmanW.RongL. (2021). The challenges and adaptation in career for the dwarfs: A literature review. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 11(2), 757–770. https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v11-i2/8491
