Effects of Ballet & Dance Programs on Gross Motor Skills in Children With Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities: A Scoping Review

PURPOSE: Intellectual and developmental disabilities can be defined by significant limitations in intellectual function and adaptive behavior. These limited adaptive behaviors are often constrained by delays or impairments in various gross motor skills. Previous research has shown dance therapy interventions for people with various disabilities can be effective in improving motor skill development and overall motor function. With an increased volume of research published related to dance as a therapy it can be difficult for clinicians and practitioners to stay abreast of current research. In addition, new and sometimes conflicting evidence can make choosing interventions or aspects of interventions difficult. The aim of this study is to search, describe, and systematically review the best available evidence regarding ballet and dance therapy for children with intellectual disabilities.

DESIGN: This study utilizes the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA).

METHOD: This scoping review searched six databases (CINAHL, EMBASE, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, and PsychoINFO) for full-text articles published between 2000–2020. Keywords ‘dance therapy,' ‘gross motor,' ‘gross motor function,' ‘gross motor skills,' ‘ballet,' ‘developmental disabilities,' ‘therapy,' ‘ballet therapy,' ‘postural stability,' ‘children,' ‘autism,' and 'interactive' were used. Gross motor skills were defined to be any movement that required the use of major muscle groups and included postural control, balance, and gait. Relevant articles were screened for eligibility based on the limiting criteria. Abstracts were screened by two independent raters to determine eligibility. Reliability between coders was established at 94%. A total of twenty-one peer-reviewed articles were collected and encompassed many forms of dance including ballet, hip-hop, traditional Indian dance, traditional Greek dance, waltz, square dance, and creative dance. A variety of intellectual and developmental disabilities were represented as well including Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome, and autism spectrum disorder. Dance therapy was the most common form of dance implemented and Cerebral Palsy the most common disorder. The studies’ interventions were interpreted using twenty-nine tests and several author-created surveys, with the Gross Motor Function Measure the most popular assessment.

RESULTS: From the twenty-one examined articles, twenty intervention groups experienced statistically significant improvements. These improvements were categorized by gross motor function, such as postural stability, bilateral coordination, and balance recovery; social development, including communication; and self-esteem, involving pride and self-worth.

CONCLUSION: Overall dance and movement therapies were shown to be effective in improving gross motor skills in addition to improving other domains of interest to occupational therapy professionals. Dance and movement therapies may be beneficial to use in addition to standard therapies for improving motor proficiency in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

IMPACT STATEMENT: With a growing population of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities lacking outlets for their mental, physical, and social development, dance therapy targets not just one, but all three of these critical formative elements. Dance therapy is a unique form of therapy within the occupational therapy scope of practice as it uses the activity or occupation of dance to promote play, enhance mobility, and improve performance skills. Dance can also be an enjoyable leisure activity.

References

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McGuire, M., Long, J., Esbensen, A. J., & Bailes, A. F. (2019). Adapted dance improves motor abilities and participation in children with Down syndrome: A pilot study. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 31(1), 76–82. https://doi.org/10.1097/pep.0000000000000559

Salgado, R., & de Paula Vasconcelos, L. A. (2010). The use of dance in the rehabilitation of a patient with multiple sclerosis. American Journal of Dance Therapy, 32(1), 53-63. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10465-010-9087-x

Stribling, K., & Christy, J. (2017). Creative dance practice improves postural control in a child with cerebral palsy. Pediatric physical therapy, 29(4), 365–369. https://doi.org/10.1097/pep.0000000000000450