Abstract used for presentation on 02/06/2023

By Patricia Orozco Munoz

University of Winchester 

Abstract

Salsa Dance is a dynamic and exciting dance style that combines physical movement, social interaction, creativity, and emotional expression. It offers a range of benefits, including improved balance, strength, coordination, gait, self-expression, mental liberation, and cognitive focus. The complex rhythms of the Salsa Dance stimulate the brain, leading to enhanced concentration and alertness. Additionally, it revitalises the circulatory, respiratory, skeletal, and muscular systems. The combination of Salsa dance moves and lively music triggers dopamine release, resulting in positive emotional reactions and heightened physiological responses. 

I aim to demonstrate the therapeutic effects of Salsa Dance on older adults suffering from depression and confined in acute psychiatric wards. As a psychiatric nurse, I have observed that many older adults in these settings display sedentary behaviour, spending their days in front of a TV or staying in bed. Addressing and tackling this behaviour is essential, as it can contribute to declining physical and mental health. To address this issue, I have developed a Salsa Dance chair workout routine that can be incorporated into the activities of the psychiatric wards. This presentation will explain how introducing Salsa Dance chair workouts provides a solution for patients unable to stand or engage in traditional forms of exercise. These chair workouts offer an enjoyable and accessible way to engage in physical activity, promoting motivation and adherence.