1. Utilizing Dance/movement Therapy
to Holistically Improve Wellness
Brittany Hill
Psychology

2. Objectives
• Holistic Treatment
• Lack of Physical Intervention
• Integrating practices
• Application to Education

3. Holistic Treatment
• Through the movement of mind and body in a creative way, stress and
anxiety can be relieved, and other health benefits can be achieved as well
(Stuckey & Nobel, 2010).
• Stuckey & Nobel conducted a literary review of 4 methods of creative
therapies music, visual arts, movement-based creative expression, and
expressive writing.
• “Despite methodological and other limitations, the studies included in our
review appear to indicate that creative engagement can decrease
anxiety, stress, and mood disturbances” (p. 261).
• They also determined that within each of the 4 categories
presented, there was relatively clear evidence that artistic engagement
has significantly positive effects on health.

4. Lack of Physical Intervention
• Clark (2011) did a literary review on the lack of health sustaining
treatment that those with Down syndrome receive.
• “Adults with Down syndrome encounter a new set of challenges
with age, such as memory problems, a decline in vision and
hearing, thyroid dysfunction, a decreased cardiovascular
capacity, obesity, osteoporosis, and depression” (pg. 37).
• She also summarized that combining physical therapy exercises
with music and dance technique makes therapy more stimulating
for the children, while creating healthier movement patterns.

5. Integrating practices
• Yoga is another form of holistic treatment that is being
practiced in the mental health field.
• Rosenblatt et al. (2011) carried out a study fusing
yoga, dance, and music therapies holistically treat the
functioning of children with Autism and found a positive
impact on behavioral and cognitive symptoms.
• Yoga's traditional knowledge concerns physiological and
psychological processes that change physiological parameters
through respiratory manipulation (breathing
technique), postures (asanas), and cognitive controls
(relaxation and meditation) (Radhakrishna, et al., 2010).

6. Application to Education
• The school is the stronghold of the culture of education
(Wengrower, 2001).
• Wengrower conducted a literary analysis of studies that
applied art therapies in educational setting and more
specifically how to using these forms of therapy can enhance
the intercultural experience of the students.

7. Overview
Integrating this treatment into the education system
will support students with disabilities by creating
engaging courses that will stimulate their cognitions
and improve their physical health. Conducting this
research will spread awareness of dance/movement
therapy existence and assist the progression of holistic
therapies in mental health practicing. I also hope that
this study will generate the continuation of research on
this topic to develop a better comprehension of its the
advantages.

8. Research Prospectus
http://302sspring2013.pbworks.com/w/page/6594703
9/Final%20Draft%20of%20Research%20Prospectus%20
for%20Brittany%20Hill