Lifelines of Support: Dance Movement Therapy and Neuroscience-Based Conscious Movement to Enhance the Well-Being of Long-Term Caregivers of Older Adults

26isfam098 10.3205/26isfam098 urn:nbn:de:0183-26isfam0984 Meeting Abstract Lifelines of Support: Dance Movement Therapy and Neuroscience-Based Conscious Movement to Enhance the Well-Being of Long-Term Caregivers of Older Adults Rodríguez-Jiménez Rodríguez-Jiménez Rosa-María RM

Faculty of Education and Psychology, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Madrid, Spain

author van Houten van Houten Marloes Shami MS

European Association for Dance Movement Therapy Leyden Academy on Vitality and Aging

author German Medical Science GMS Publishing House

Düsseldorf

610 20260612 engl This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Dieser Artikel ist ein Open-Access-Artikel und steht unter den Lizenzbedingungen der Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (Namensnennung). M0652 098 International Society for Arts and Medicine The Healing Arts – Forging Alliances of Arts & Medicine Presentation Abstracts Berlin 20260618 20260620 26isfam098 TextBackground: The global rise in the 60+ population (WHO, 2015; WHO, 2024) increases demands on long-term caregivers (LTC), who often experience chronic stress and reduced well-being. International guidelines call for supportive training to enhance resilience (Lindt et al., 2020; Lam et al., 2022). DanceCare Erasmus+ addresses this by integrating Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) with Wise Motion (WM), a neuroscience-based conscious movement method.Objectives: The project aims to:design and evaluate an embodied training program using DMT and WM;disseminate the curriculum through DMT training institutions; andsupport its adoption by elderly-care organizations.Methods: A mixed-method study design was developed, combining quantitative pre-post measures (Zarit Burden Interview; Caregiver Burden Inventory: Novak & Guest, 1989; Beck Depression Inventory; quality-of-life questionnaire) with qualitative interviews, focus groups, researcher notes and embodiment-informed, art-based methods (Tantia, 2021; Leavy, 2020). The training has been implemented in Spain, Italy and Greece.Results: Data analysis is ongoing and final results will be presented at the conference. Preliminary insights include needs analyses from caregivers and DMT experts, which guided program development. Focus groups emphasized safe spaces, metaphorical language and transitional objects. DMT experts have been trained to deliver the program, and blended-learning materials, including short videos, have been produced. Our hypothesis is that repeated movement-based encounters and art-based processes enhance stress regulation, body awareness and relational presence.Conclusion: Early project development indicates strong potential for embodied, neuroscience-informed approaches to support LTC caregivers. Final outcomes (2026) aim to inform sustainable psychosomatic and educational practices in elder-care contexts. 0 0 0 0