American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance - AAHPERD

Creative Movement as a Stress-Reduction Intervention for Caregivers
Rheba E. Vetter, Susan A. Myllykangas, Laura K. M. Donorfio, & Alice K. Foose

Abstract: A caregiver is one who provides formal or informal services to a person with physical disabilities or a long-term illness. The day-to-day responsibilities place inordinate amounts of stress on caregivers. Thus, caregivers need mental and physical support. Creative movement enables dancers to express anxieties through movement and to experience an emotional release or catharsis. This article describes how the authors used creative movement improvisation with caregivers as an avenue for self expression, social networking, and tension release.