Résumé
Acquired Brain Injury (e.g., stroke, traumatic; ABI) can occur at any age and with a range of lasting effects, creating a need for adaptable physical activity programming within inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation settings. Dance is gaining attention as a complementary approach to traditional rehabilitation techniques. Recently, dance has been shown to be a feasible activity that enhances mobility, body awareness, working memory, and mood for persons with severe traumatic brain injury. Despite the interest and strong rationale for integrating dance into rehabilitation, questions remain about how an interdisciplinary approach to dance-based movement programming may align with holistic rehabilitation goals that foster individuals’ engagement in meaningful family and community life. Four interdisciplinary clinician teams (Occupational, Physical and Speech Language Therapy) who work in ABI participated in separate focus groups (n=12). Semi-structured focus group questions were designed to gain insight into the perceived feasibility and potential of dance to address interdisciplinary rehabilitation goals. Inductive thematic analysis was used to identify common themes and recommendations that arose in each focus group. Preliminary thematic analysis revealed themes of barriers to participation and implementation of dance-based activities, dance and music as motivational, dance as an adaptable/flexible program design, and the potential to support functional goals and socio-emotional wellbeing. Overall clinicians perceived dance as an engaging activity to address holistic rehabilitation goals. The variety of movements, along with benefits of working in groups, were seen as strengths. Challenges to integrating within existing structures included time, space and supports (notably access to expertise in dance education).
