The Happy Antics programme: holistic exercise for people with dementia

  • Yvonne J-Lyn Khoo
  • , Paul van Schaik
  • , Jackie McKenna

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Articlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Holistic exercise for people with dementia could have psychological and physical benefits, but there is a lack of research on the experience of this type of exercise. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the feasibility and acceptance of holistic exercise among people with dementia. Method: A holistic exercise programme for people with dementia was designed and implemented. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken to explore participants' experience of holistic exercise, transcribed verbatim and analyzed. Results: Seven themes were generated from the data. They were enjoyment, relaxation, keeping active, social interaction, pain relief, learning something new and intention to continue, respectively. Conclusion: The results of the current small-scale study provide evidence for the feasibility and acceptance of holistic exercise for people with dementia. In addition, participants appeared to benefit in terms of psychological and physical wellbeing.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)553-558
JournalJournal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
Volume18
Early online date1 Mar 2014
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2014

Keywords

  • dementia
  • care-givers
  • exercise
  • holistic
  • awareness
  • wellness

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