Introduction

People with dementia
PwD ) face stigma,
discrimination, and
exclusion from social and
creative activities, as
societal misconceptions
erode recognition of their
personhood. Declining
autonomy intensifies
loneliness and social
isolation. Arts based
programmes
emphasising creative
expression and mindful
presence offer promising
pathways to restore
agency, affirm identity
and promote connection.
By engaging the body
and senses, these
approaches enable PwD
to reconnect with
themselves and others
through dance,
movement, and shared
experience. 

 

Methods

This work draws on "The
Mind your Next Dance"
(MYND) program,
developed using an
exploratory, multiphase
sequential mixed
methods design.
International perspectives
of PwD , caregivers and
dementia experts were
incorporated through
qualitative interviews
(n=31), a focus group
(n=10) and a Delphi study
(n=30). Reflexive
thematic analysis, guided
by a critical realist
approach, explored how
mindfulness and dance
movement psychotherapy
(DMP) promote
engagement and well
being and challenge
stigma.

Results

Integrating mindfulness
within arts based
programmes can foster
positive outcomes for
PwD and caregivers.
Mindful attention to
movement, breath, and
multi sensory experience
enable PwD to reconnect
with their bodies and
interact with others,
facilitating emotional
release and meaning
making. Participants
reported improved
communication, relational
closeness, and greater
confidence in self
expression. Emphasising
sensory engagement
over verbal instruction,
with no “right” or “wrong”
way to participate,
empowered PwD to
engage on their own
terms.

Discussion 

Mindfulness and arts
based programmes can
transform cultural
narratives that frame
dementia negatively by
affirming personhood,
autonomy, and social
inclusion. Safe, non
judgemental spaces
enable PwD to explore
suppressed emotions
that might otherwise
manifest as behavioural
disturbances. Person
centred , strengths
based approaches
grounded in individual
preferences and
remaining abilities
support self expression,
social connection, and
identity reclamation,
improving mood, well
being, and quality of life
for PwD and their
caregivers.