P33: “Digital Dance”: Analyzing and Quantifying Signatures of a Demi Plié via Stretchable Electronic Wearable Sensors for Dance Movement Therapy

Abstract

Background: Dance, an artistic movement, has utility in dance/movement therapy (DMT) when performed accurately and safely. Dance movements consist of exercises promoting muscle building, flexibility, and enhancing longevity as well as providing psychological benefits. Here we evaluated the foundational ballet exercise, the demi plié, and the associated movements of the knees and pelvis. We hypothesized that deviations in motion signatures are identifiable between dancers performing correct vs. incorrect demi pliés, as well as between collegiate level dancers and non-dancers. Methods: Motion sensors (BioStamps) were placed on the left tibialis anterior and sacrum of seven classically trained, injury-free, collegiate-level dancers, who then performed: 1) correct demi pliés, 2) incorrect demi pliés with anterior pelvic tilt, and 3) incorrect demi pliés with posterior pelvic tilt. Then, six non-dancers of similar age, performed correct demi pliés to the best of their ability after brief instruction. For all conditions, acceleration and gyroscope data was collected (X, Y, and Z axes). Results: The dancers movement of the sacrum differed between Conditions 1 and 2 (p=0.00018) and Conditions 1 and 3 (p=0.00178). No significant difference in movement of the sacrum was found between Condition 1 in the dancer group and the non-dancer group (p=0.30952). In addition, no statistically significant difference was found between the depth of plié in the dancers between Conditions 1 and 2 (p=0.50162) and Conditions 1 and 3 (p=0.84254) and in the non-dancer group compared to Condition 1 in the dancers (p=0.26011). No consistent patterns were found regarding medial and lateral motion of the tibialis anterior in both the dancer and non-dancer groups. Conclusions: The BioStamps technology accurately tracked the movements of the tibialis anterior and sacrum during correct and incorrect classical demi pliés in both the “Dancer” and “Non-dancer” groups. This knowledge when applied could promote correct ballet technique and be used in injury prevention, as well as for dance/movement therapy (DMT).