Emerging wisdom through a traditional bon dance in group dance/movement therapy: A single case study of dementia

Abstract

The cultural and aesthetic rationale for utilizing a traditional dance form in dance/movement therapy (DMT) dementia research has not been articulated. Moreover, the geo-transcendent and invariant aspects of psychological functioning often referred to as the wisdom of elders, have been little studied in dementia care. This single case study explored the benefits of a Japanese traditional bon dance that inherently symbolizes Japanese cultural ideals, focusing on a female participant with Alzheimer’s dementia. Attention was given to the manifestation of her wisdom. The data were extracted from 43 group sessions conducted over a period of two years and three months in a group home for older adults with dementia. These were analyzed using a combination of constructs: kinesthetic empathy, a hallmark of DMT, and the felt sense, a Focusing technique. Of cultural significance was the spontaneous creative expression that was observed paradoxically in the structure of choreographed dances. The expression of wisdom was witnessed in the participant’s caring gestures towards one’s body and the community, with humor. An embodied relational understanding of the participant’s condition enabled a high level of empathy between the therapist and client. Implications for using traditional dances in DMT with elders with dementia are discussed.