Editorial

https://doi.org/10.65241/wh.8.2.1

Life in a wheelchair: moving again “in dance steps”

Tatiana Bolgeo ; Research Training Innovation Infrastructure, Research and Innovation Department (DAIRI) –Azienda Ospedaliero - Universitaria SS. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, Alessandria, Italy
Annunziata Lettiero ; Research Training Innovation Infrastructure, Research and Innovation Department (DAIRI) –Azienda Ospedaliero - Universitaria SS. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, Alessandria, Italy
Menada Gardalini orcid.org/0000-0001-9218-4414 ; Research Training Innovation Infrastructure, Research and Innovation Department (DAIRI) –Azienda Ospedaliero - Universitaria SS. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, Alessandria, Italy *
Roberta Di Matteo ; Research Training Innovation Infrastructure, Research and Innovation Department (DAIRI) –Azienda Ospedaliero - Universitaria SS. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, Alessandria, Italy
Rita Lorusso ; SC. Neurorehabilitation - Presidio Teresio Borsalino - Azienda Ospedaliero - Universitaria SS. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, Alessandria, Italy
Antonio Maconi ; Research Training Innovation Infrastructure, Research and Innovation Department (DAIRI) –Azienda Ospedaliero - Universitaria SS. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, Alessandria, Italy

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

The experience of motor disability, especially among wheelchair
users with spinal cord injuries, encourages reflection on the
transformative power of expressive and movement-based
practices. Among these, Dance Movement Therapy emerges
as a tool capable of fostering emotional expression, body
awareness, and social engagement, extending beyond
traditional rehabilitative approaches. Existing literature
highlights multiple benefits of Dance Movement Therapy
across neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease,
multiple sclerosis, and stroke, demonstrating improvements
in physical, psychological, and emotional well-being.
However, despite the growing global population of wheelchair
users and the considerable impact of this condition on
healthcare costs and caregiver burden, research specifically
focused on individuals with spinal cord injury remains limited.
It is within this context that the project developed in a hospital
in northern Italy is situated, proposing the integration of
Dance Movement Therapy as social prescribing for people with
disabilities following spinal cord injury. The project involves
both patients and caregivers, valuing their collaborative role
in the care relationship and promoting a person-centered
model of support. Planned activities include professional
training for healthcare providers, dedicated Dance Movement
Therapy sessions, and a shared patient–caregiver pathway to
enhance emotional support, active participation, and mutual
well-being.
In addition to clinical and psychological outcomes, the
project includes an economic evaluation to assess the longterm
sustainability of the intervention and the potential
savings from reduced reliance on traditional treatments and
decreased caregiver burden. Overall, this initiative highlights
the importance of recognizing Dance Movement Therapy as
both a therapeutic and cultural practice capable of promoting
inclusion, autonomy, and quality of life for individuals with
motor disabilities.

Keywords

Motor disability; spinal cord injuries; wheelchair users; dance movement therapy.

Hrčak ID:

342993

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/342993

Publication date:

24.12.2025.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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