Effects of Dance

This section shares what I’ve learned about how dance can positively affect people living with dementia. Beyond being a fun activity, dance combines music, rhythm, memory, and social interaction — all of which engage different parts of the brain. Through my research, I discovered that dance can help:

Stimulate cognitive function and memory recall
Improve mood and reduce anxiety or depression
Enhance balance, coordination, and mobility
Create moments of connection, joy, and self-expression

Dance Movement Intervention (DMI) is a therapy that uses movement and dance to help people with dementia improve their emotional, cognitive, physical, and social well-being. It is highly beneficial for cognitive and motor function in individuals with MCI, AD, and dementia.

Benefits of DMI

Enhances memory, executive function, and motor skills.
Stimulates brain areas such as the frontal lobe, entorhinal cortex, and hippocampus, which are crucial for spatial memory and cognitive functions.
Reduces agitation, improves mood, and fosters social interaction.
Helps in postponing cognitive decline.

Body-Mind Connection in DMI

Movement expresses emotions and enhances communication.Dance can help reconnect older adults with past experiences.Even if individuals don’t recall past dance memories, their body might still respond positively to familiar movements.

1 / Increases BDNF circulation

BDNF is a key protein that supports neuron growth, survival, and synaptic plasticity. It plays a crucial role in memory and cognitive function. BDNF supports brain plasticity, memory formation, and overall cognitive health. Muscle movement enhances BDNF production, improving neural growth and cognitive abilities.

2 / Increases Muscle Strength

Stronger muscles are associated with a lower risk of developing dementia. Physical activity and resistance training may help delay cognitive decline in aging individuals. Maintaining muscle strength could support brain health and reduce dementia risk independently of genetic predisposition.

3 / Stimulates Different Brain Regions

Different dance elements actively engage various brain regions, enhancing cognitive and motor functions. The frontal lobe, responsible for executive function, is stimulated through structured movement sequences that require planning and decision-making. The hippocampus, which plays a key role in spatial memory, is activated through choreographed steps and directional changes. Additionally, visual tracking and path integration are strengthened as participants follow movements and navigate space. Furthermore, music and rhythmic movements provide additional benefits, particularly for individuals with Parkinson’s disease, by improving coordination, balance, and motor control.