Dance, Dementia, and Alzheimer's- Unveiling the connection!

It has been a month since I last moved or walked freely. The nodules on my left leg’s veins were so painful that they restricted my movements, almost confining me to bed. Despite visiting multiple hospitals and doctors, no one could diagnose the cause of my condition. When conventional medicine failed, my mother took me to various holy places, hoping for a miracle that would allow me to walk pain-free again. Finally, my mother’s prayers were answered when a specific medication, steroids, provided some relief. While it wasn’t a permanent cure, it helped control the spread of the disease and alleviate the pain. I was overjoyed to be able to stand and walk freely again.

Do you know what I did first?

After feeling weighed down by negativity and depression, I decided to dance for 30 straight minutes. The act of dancing helped lift my spirits and dispel the negativity. For me, dancing is not just about having fun or partying; it’s a way to break free from inhibitions and express genuine emotions. It’s a healing experience that brings me great joy and excitement, opening me up and creating a positive environment. Dancing helps me to see my dreams and envision where I want to go, uplifting my mood and bringing clarity and imagination.

Dance has many benefits. We all know that Dance is an excellent form of exercise that helps people lose weight. Recently, I read an article in Readers Digest about Dance and how it can help Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. That article inspired me to research DanceDance and its connection with memory disabilities.

Per my research- Dance has shown significant potential in helping Dementia and Alzheimer’s patients through various physical, cognitive, and emotional benefits. A 2022 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that dancing was the only physical activity associated with a lower risk of Dementia in people over 75. If you dance frequently, the risk of getting Dementia will be reduced by 76%. It’s a significant reduction. Dance can also improve mood, reduce anxiety, and stimulate social interaction.

Neurologist Dr. Robert Katzman proposed that our brain constantly rewires its neural pathways as needed. When brain cells die, and synapses weaken with aging, our nouns go first, like names of people, because there’s only one neural pathway connecting to that stored information. If the single neural connection to that name fades, we lose access. As people age, some of them learn to parallel processes.

The key here is Dr. Katzman’s emphasis on the complexity of our neuronal synapses. More is better. Do whatever you can to create new neural paths. The opposite of this is repeatedly taking the same old, well-worn path, with habitual patterns of thinking and living.

That aphorism focused on creative thinking to find as many alternative paths as possible to an innovative solution. But as we age, parallel processing becomes more critical. Now, it’s no longer a matter of style; it’s a matter of survival — getting across the creek. Randomly dying brain cells are like stepping stones being removed one by one. Those with only one well-worn path of stones are completely blocked when some are removed. But those who spent their lives trying different mental routes each time, creating many possible paths, still have several left.

As the study shows, we need to keep as many of those paths active as possible while also generating new paths to maintain the complexity of our neuronal connections. In other words, Intelligence — use it or lose it.

As Jean Piaget put it, Intelligence is what we use when we don’t already know what to do. The essence of Intelligence is making decisions. When it comes to improving your mental acuity, the best advice is to involve yourself in activities that require split-second rapid-fire decision-making, as opposed to rote memory (retracing the same well-worn paths) or just working on your physical style.

Dancing integrates several brain functions at once — kinesthetic, rational, musical, and emotional — further increasing your neural connectivity. Dance can provide numerous benefits for individuals with Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The combination of physical activity, social interaction, and cognitive engagement offered by Dance makes it a powerful therapeutic tool. Here are some key ways in which Dance can help:

1. Physical Benefits

Improves Mobility and Balance: Dance routines, even simple ones, involve movements that enhance balance, coordination, and overall mobility. This can help reduce the risk of falls, which is a significant concern for individuals with Dementia.

Enhances Cardiovascular Health: Regular physical activity through Dance can improve cardiovascular health, which is essential for overall well-being and may help slow the progression of dementia-related symptoms.

2. Cognitive Benefits

Stimulates the Brain: Learning new dance steps and routines requires memory, concentration, and the ability to follow sequences, which can help promote cognitive functions and maintain mental agility.

Boosts Neuroplasticity: Dance can encourage neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form and reorganize synaptic connections, particularly in response to learning or experience, which is beneficial for cognitive health.

3. Emotional and Psychological Benefits

Enhances Mood: Dance often leads to the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals, which can help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety common in dementia patients.

Reduces Stress and Anxiety: The rhythmic movements and music can have a calming effect, helping to lower stress and anxiety levels.

4. Social Benefits

Promotes Social Interaction: Dance classes or social dance events provide opportunities for individuals with Dementia to engage with others, fostering a sense of community and reducing feelings of isolation.

Strengthens Relationships: Participating in Dance can be shared activity that strengthens bonds between patients and their caregivers, family members, or friends.

5. Quality of Life Improvements

Encourages Expressiveness: Dance allows individuals to express themselves non-verbally, which can be particularly beneficial for those who have lost some verbal communication skills.

Provides Enjoyment and Fun: Engaging in Dance can be a source of joy and pleasure, improving the overall quality of life.