When we think of hospital care, the image that often springs to mind is one of drug treatments, clinical examinations and rigorous medical monitoring. But what if other forms of therapy could play an equally essential role in patients' well-being? What if dance finally found its place in our hospitals?
More than just an artistic activity, dance is a powerful tool for self-expression and reconnecting with the body. It releases emotions, reconnects people with their self-image and offers a moment of escape from the medical environment. Today, a number of initiatives are emerging to integrate dance into the care process.
Dance in child psychiatry: a space for young people to express themselves
Dance also has its place in the care of young people suffering from mental illness. In 2023, Marie Fafchamps, a psychologist in the child psychiatry department of the CHC Health Group, initiated a dance project with young in-patients.
The project took shape with a performance by young dancers from the Mosa Ballet School and a sitting dance workshop. This workshop created a unique meeting place, bringing together not only patients from the child psychiatry department, but also those from the geriatrics department. This moment of intergenerational sharing enabled everyone, young and old alike, to express themselves through movement, encouraging encounters, kindness and joy that transcended differences in age and life paths.
‘Preparing to age well: dance for the elderly
During the ‘Bien vieillir, ça se prépare’ day at the Citadelle hospital in Liège, Quand on Danse offered seated dance workshops open to all. At the end of the day, patients from the geriatric ward joined the initiative, sharing a moment of movement and conviviality.
This experiment has shown that dance can be a real boost to well-being for the elderly, by encouraging mobility, social interaction and the pleasure of movement.
La danse en oncologie : une parenthèse hors du temps
Quand on Danse has just launched an ambitious new project: offering dance workshops in resourcing areas for cancer patients.
The project was made possible by funding from the Fondation Contre le Cancer, which recognises the importance of movement and bodily expression in the treatment of cancer.
One of the places that has hosted these workshops is the 'Centre Oasis' of the CHU. There, dance was first introduced, on the initiative of the centre, as part of the ‘ART'ELIERS’: recreational artistic workshops supervised by psychologists.
Alexandra Paye, coordinator of the Centre OASIS, emphasises the positive impact of these workshops:
We've noticed that the word ‘dance’ can sometimes be an obstacle for some patients. However, once they dare to take the plunge, they find it a real source of well-being. The aim is to help patients reconnect with their bodies, through movement and free expression, in a caring environment and without pressure to perform.
Thanks to the support of the Fondation contre le Cancer, Quand on Danse has been able to set up a regular series of workshops in five resourcing centres in the province of Liège.
SuperNils: an innovative project to bring dance to cancer patients
The exploration of the link between dance and health continues at Quand on Danse with a human project run by the non-profit organisation SuperNils, an association dedicated to supporting children, teenagers and young adults with cancer. Their mission: to improve the mental well-being of patients.
Thanks to €29,311 in funding from the Fondation Contre le Cancer, SuperNils has been able to bring its ‘Cancer... dance for your mental boost!’ initiative to fruition, in collaboration with Quand on Danse.
The aim? To bring dance directly to hospital patients as part of their cancer treatment, by offering them several formats adapted to their desires and physical abilities.
Independent dancing
Videos of dance lessons will be available on PCs, tablets, smartphones and even VR goggles. Patients will be able to follow the instructions of the ‘Quand on Danse’ teachers and move at their own pace.
Immersive VR experience
Thanks to 360° videos, patients will experience an immersive dance class in virtual reality at the Mosa Ballet School and will be able to interact with other participants hospitalised in oncology.
Face-to-face dance classes
Teachers from Quand on Danse will be coming directly to the hospital to offer movement sessions tailored to the needs of patients.
A future where dance finds its place in healthcare?
Whether in oncology, child psychiatry, geriatrics or other hospital departments, dance seems to have a real role to play in patients' well-being.
The projects run by Quand on Danse illustrate some of the many possibilities offered by this art form in care settings, but they are only a starting point.
The field of exploration is still vast, and new initiatives continue to emerge to make dance a valuable accompaniment throughout the care process. Perhaps it's time to give dance a more prominent place in our care structures?