Dancing with your grandma for 15 minutes a week ‘promotes positive feelings and improves her state of mind’, study claims
- Scientists asked 16 dance therapy instructors to partner with their grandmother
- Found a weekly 10-15 minute session had a dramatic impact on mental wellbeing
- Grandmothers in the project reported a better state of mind and uplifted spirits
Doctors from Israel are urging younger family members to shake what their grandparents gave them and have a dance with their nan.
A scientific study found a 15 minute boogie once a week lifted the spirits of the elder family members and helped strengthen the familial bond.
Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) across the generations, complete with eye contact, was found to promote positive feelings and boost mood for the elderly.
The grandparents reported an improved state of mind, happy memories and uplifted spirits.
Dancing has also previously been linked to improved muscle strength, balance and endurance.
For the granddaughters in the study, the weekly jig altered how they view ageing and allowed them to come to terms with the eventual death of their elderly relative.
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Doctors from Israel are urging younger family members to shake what their grandparents gave them and have a dance with their nan. A scientific study found a 15 minute boogie once a week lifted the spirits of the elder family members and helped strengthen the familial bond (stock)
The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, assessed how dance impacted the well-being of 16 dance movement therapists and their grandmothers.
Dance movement therapy was investigated due to the fact it is easily accessible and cheap to practice.
The researchers were keen to examine a low-cost method to treat issues commonly faced by an ageing population – such as limited mobility and depression.
Granddaughters were instructed to make eye contact and encourage playfulness and touch.
They were also told to mirror their grandmothers’ movements and give them time and space to rest when needed.
The sessions were recorded and then analysed while diaries and interviews captured the opinions and feelings of the participants.
As well as the benefits to the health of the matriarch, the experiment also changed the perception of the younger family members.
Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) across the generations, complete with eye contact, was found to promote positive feelings and boost mood for the elderly. The grandparents reported an improved state of mind, happy memories and uplifted spirits (stock photo)
The scientists say that the experiment and partnered dancing shifted the granddaughters’ attitude towards ageing and allowed them to process the concept of the eventual death of their relative.
Both generations expressed gratitude and felt their bond was stronger after the sessions.
Study author Dr Einat Shuper Engelhard, of the University of Haifa in Israel, said: ‘The increase of the proportion of elderly in the population, along with the increase in the age group of adult grandchildren, necessitates creativity and innovation in providing diverse resources and support.
‘With an activity as simple and accessible as free-form dancing, ageing populations can improve their physical and mental health and also connect with their loved ones.’
The familial bond was key in the success of the project, indicating the dancing with a nan only works if it is your own grandmother.
The sessions ‘promoted physical activity even when the body was fatigued and weak,’ Dr Engelhard says.
‘This emphasises the significance of the close and familiar relationship as a means to promote new experiences (which can occasionally seem impossible) for the older person.’