What are the research priorities in dance for dementia? A co-created agenda to support equitable research

There is a gap in the field of dance for dementia regarding how to engage in and improve equitable, moral, and rights-based ways of working with those with lived experience to co-design research priorities. We set out to create a collaborative research agenda for this field.

A series of collaborative activities were conducted, including an in-person workshop (n = 59 people), online workshop (n = 23 people), digital communications, podcasts, and co-writing, including with people living with dementia (PLWD), health and social care professionals, artists, arts organisational representatives, and academic researchers.

Three key themes were constructed: 1) Improving access to dance participation; 2) Prioritising co-produced approaches; and 3) Enabling innovation in measurement and methods.

This is the first co-produced agenda for the field of dance for dementia. Underpinned by diverse perspectives and lived experience, it outlines themes and associated research questions that can be used in future research.