DARE to move: feasibility study of a novel dance-based rehabilitation method in severe traumatic brain injury

Objective: Dance is a versatile and multimodal rehabilitation method, which may be useful also in traumatic brain injury (TBI) rehabilitation. Here, we assessed the feasibility and preliminary effects of a novel dance-based intervention called Dual-Assisted Dance Rehabilitation (DARE).Method: This is a feasibility study with a cross-over design where 11 persons with severe/extremely severe TBI received a 12-week (2 times/week) DARE program. Motor and neuropsychological tests and questionnaires measuring mood, executive functions, and quality of life were performed at baseline, 3-month, and 6-month stage. Self-perceived benefits were assessed with a post-intervention questionnaire.Results: Acceptability of and adherence to DARE were encouraging: 91% were fully consistent with protocol, and adherence to DARE sessions was 83-100%. Pre-post treatment effects sizes were medium-large for self-reported depression (BDI-II: d = 1.19-1.74) and executive deficits (BRIEF-A: d = 0.43-1.09) and for test-assessed trunk movement control (TIS: d = 0.47-0.76) and cognitive functioning (WAIS-IV subtests: d = 0.34-0.89). Other outcome measures did not show similar positive effect sizes. Self-perceived benefits were largest for mobility and cognition.Conclusion: Dance-based rehabilitation is a feasible and promising method in severe TBI and its efficacy should be assessed with a larger clinical trial.