Restricted accessResearch articleFirst published online 2025-6
Life-long music and dance relationships and therapeutic impressions in individuals with and without mild cognitive impairment to inform the design of music- and dance-based therapies
No effective therapies exist to prevent neurodegenerative mild cognitive impairment (MCI) related to Alzheimer's disease. Therapies integrating music and/or dance are promising non-pharmacological options to effectively mitigate cognitive decline.
Objective
To deepen our understanding of individuals’ relationships (i.e., histories, experiences, and attitudes) with music and dance, in order to incorporate such knowledge into the design of music- and dance-based interventions, thereby improving therapeutic outcomes.
Methods
Eleven older adults with MCI and five of their care partners/ spouses (4 M/12F; Black: n = 4, White: n = 10, Hispanic/Latino: n = 2; Age: 71.4 ± 9.6 years) first completed questionnaires, then participated in focus groups that captured aspects of their relationships with music and dance. Emergent themes were extracted from four major topics, including: (1) experience and history, (2) enjoyment and preferences, (3) confidence and barriers, and (4) impressions of music and dance as therapeutic tools.
Results
Thematic analysis revealed participants’ positive impressions of music and dance as potential therapeutic interventions, citing perceived neuropsychological, emotional, and physical benefits. Participants viewed music and dance as integral to their lives, histories, and identities within a culture, family, and/ or community. Participants also identified lifelong engagement barriers that, in conjunction with negative feedback, instilled persistent low self-efficacy regarding dancing and active music engagement. Questionnaires verified individuals’ moderately-strong music and dance relationships, which were strongest in passive forms of music engagement (e.g., listening).
Conclusions
Our findings support that individuals’ music and dance relationships and the associated perceptions toward music and dance therapy may offer valuable insights that enhance the design of efficacious and engaging non-pharmacological therapies for individuals with MCI.
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