Dance as a Complex Intervention in an Acute Mental Health Setting: A Place ‘In-Between’

Abstract

This article discusses the evaluation of a dance programme in the United Kingdom. There is little research specifically on dance within hospital-based environments. The aim was to ascertain whether dance is a useful intervention for service users in such an environment; to identify its effects on participants' inner-world experience; and to understand whether it has a positive contribution to hopefulness, as identified by Spandler et al (2007) in a national study of the effect on mental health of engaging with the arts. Dance was viewed as a complex intervention (Creek and Lawson-Porter 2007), demanding a mixed-method approach (Flick 2002) that illuminated psychosocial, rather than clinical, benefits. The programme involved collaboration between a professional female dancer employed by a local dance institute, who conducted the sessions on a voluntary basis, and hospital-based staff who were keen to extend cultural activities. The dancer had a particular interest in the potential of dance in mental health contexts and, although no formal agreement with the dance institute was involved, the project, if evaluated as having positive effects on participants, had implications for future partnerships between the hospital and local cultural institutions. The hospital was interested in demonstrating its commitment to cultural provision and had commissioned a local film company to document the programme before the research team began the evaluation. Subject to participant consent, unedited film footage was made available to the research team as data. This rather unusual set of circumstances enabled detailed observation of microprocesses of engagement by a research panel. The evaluation drew on four methods of data collection.

The impact of the arts in healthcare on patients and service users: A critical review

“…A reduction in anxiety levels was recorded by Froggett and Little () and Mouradian (). Likewise Dowrick et al.…”

“…A reduction in anxiety levels was recorded by Froggett and Little (2012) and Mouradian (2013). Likewise Dowrick et al (2012) reported a reduction in depressive symptoms for those with common mental health problems attending reading groups for 12 months.…”

“…Such interviews were used by Guzman-Garcia, Mukaetova-Ladinska, and James (2012) In the four mixed-methods studies, a range of different data collection methods were applied. Observations, reflective diaries and questionnaires were used by Dowrick, Billington, Robinson, Hamer, and Williams (2012) to evaluate a reading intervention for people with common mental health problems, whereas Froggett and Little (2012) used semi-structured interviews and the Herth Hope Index to evaluate the effect of a dance intervention in a mental health inpatient setting.…”

Influence of Folk-Art Education on Mental Health of College Students

“…In order to cultivate versatile talents that can meet the requirements of national and social development, art education and physical and mental health have been included in the Chongqing College of Electronic Engineering, Chongqing 401331, China. E-Mail: xiayandsoe@126.com quality education as important components (Froggett & Little, 2012). Various colleges and universities have set up elective courses of folkart education and mental health education.…”

A Mixed Methods Study of the Re-Animation Approach Within a Forensic Mental Health Setting

“…Over the past decade a small number of studies have addressed creative activity interventions within mental health setting's including creative writing (Cooper, 2013), dance (Froggett & Little, 2012), poetry (Hilse, Griffith, & Corr, 2007) and the use of clay (Timmons & MacDonald, 2008). Other research has been more broadly concerned with a range of creative activities including: painting, drawing, collage, card making, textiles, needlecraft, pottery and woodwork (Griffith, 2008;Lloyd, Wong, & Petchkovsky, 2007;Schmid, 2004).…”