The transformative power of dance is well-documented, and a recent study titled "Senior Women’s Dance: From Pleasure to Emancipation" (Pezdek et al., 2022) provides compelling evidence of its multifaceted benefits. As a practitioner in speech-language pathology, integrating these insights into your therapeutic practice can significantly enhance outcomes for children. This blog will explore how you can leverage the findings from this research to improve your skills and encourage further exploration.
The Research Findings
The study conducted by Pezdek and colleagues focused on the experiences of older adult women in a dance group called ‘Gracje’. Using Jürgen Habermas’s theory of communicative action, the researchers found that dance promotes not only physical health and mental wellbeing but also social involvement. The older adults realized their claims to pleasure, attractiveness, health, and emancipation through dance, which significantly improved their bodily capacity and self-esteem.
Implementing Dance in Speech Therapy
As a speech-language pathologist, you can draw parallels between the benefits observed in the study and potential improvements in your practice. Here are some actionable insights:
- Physical Health: Incorporate movement-based activities that align with the physical benefits of dance. This can enhance motor skills and overall physical health, which are crucial for speech development.
- Mental Wellbeing: Use dance to create a positive and engaging environment. The joy and satisfaction derived from dance can reduce anxiety and improve focus, making therapy sessions more effective.
- Social Involvement: Encourage group activities that mimic the social interactions observed in the dance group. This can foster a sense of community and improve communication skills among children.
Encouraging Further Research
The study's findings underscore the importance of exploring new methodologies in therapy. As a data-driven practitioner, consider conducting your own research to measure the impact of dance on speech therapy outcomes. Collaborate with colleagues to gather data and share insights, contributing to the broader field of speech-language pathology.
Conclusion
Integrating dance into speech therapy can offer multifaceted benefits, from physical health to mental wellbeing and social involvement. By implementing these insights and encouraging further research, you can enhance your therapeutic practice and create better outcomes for children.To read the original research paper, please follow this link:
Senior Women’s Dance: From Pleasure to Emancipation.
