Dementia and Dance: Medication or Movement?

Abstract

The purpose of this paper was to examine the benefits of dance in providing a realistic and viable alternative to the provision of traditional physical activities for dementia patients. Physical activity, while beneficial for increasing the components of health and fitness in general populations, may not be dementia friendly. Dance seems to be more suited as a physical activity form for dementia patients providing specific benefits including cerebrovascular enhancement. The usefulness of dance in relation to the physiological, psychological, and societal benefits for dementia patients’ needs serious consideration as a future complementary/alternative physical therapy intervention.