Life-long music and dance relationships inform impressions of music- and dance-based movement therapies in individuals with and without mild cognitive impairment

Background No effective therapies exist to prevent degeneration from Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer’s disease. Therapies integrating music and/or dance are promising as effective, non-pharmacological options to mitigate cognitive decline. Objective To deepen our understanding of individuals’ relationships (i.e., histories, experiences and attitudes) with music and dance that are not often incorporated into music- and dance-based therapeutic design, yet may affect therapeutic outcomes. Methods Eleven older adults with MCI and five of their care partners/spouses participated (4M/12F; Black: n=4, White: n=10, Hispanic/Latino: n=2; Age: 71.4±9.6). We conducted focus groups and administered questionnaires that captured aspects of participants’ music and dance relationships. We extracted emergent themes 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 tools, 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, 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 be valuable considerations in enhancing therapy efficacy, participant engagement and satisfaction for individuals with MCI.