Exploring the Benefits of Circle Dance within Perinatal Mental Health
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the Benefits of Circle Dance within a Perinatal Community Mental Health Service – A Feasibility Study
IRAS ID
359046
Contact name
Ana Lucia Borges De Costa
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Lancashire
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
The term ‘perinatal’ defines the period from pregnancy to the first-year post birth during which 20% of women in the United Kingdom (U.K.) will experience mental health problems (Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2021; Halsall et al, 2024).
Self-help strategies, including exercise, are recommended as a form of intervention for those who have been diagnosed with psychiatric conditions arising or exacerbating due to pregnancy or birth. In the U.K. the Department of Health (DH) has recommended reintroducing physical activities gradually with adaptations postnatally and building up towards 150 min/week of moderate intensity activity (UKCMO, 2019).
The role of occupational therapy within perinatal mental health in the U.K. is to provide specialist assessment, treatment and monitoring of the woman’s occupational needs and function in the context of perinatal mental ill health and parenthood (Perinatal Quality Network, 2020). Occupational therapy interventions might include 'lifestyle management, maternal co-occupations and social inclusion activities’ (Halsall et al. 2024).
Co-occupation, defined by Pierce (2009), is a dance between the occupations of one individual and another that sequentially shapes the occupations of both. Mothers and babies perform many occupations together within the same environment (Olson, 2006).
A recent research study has explored what can prevent mothers diagnosed with perinatal depression from pursuing a physical activity. Badon et al (2021) reported that these women spoke about the need to include their children in the chosen physical activity as a motivator factor in which they can balance their own needs with those of their babies.
Circle dance derives from the tradition of folk dance and has historically been a popular form of dance throughout the world, including the U.K. Recent research into the relationship between circle dance and wellbeing has demonstrated that circle dance has helped many individuals, of whom the majority are women, to overcome difficulties in their lives, including depression and stress (Borges da Costa & Cox 2016). Being essentially a communal form of dance and a form of gentle exercise, circle dance can represent an alternative way of engaging women experiencing mental health problems and their babies in some form of physical activity.
A literature search concludes a clear link between the physiological, psychological and social health benefits of dance within perinatal health and wellbeing. However, there are, to date, no existing studies within occupational therapy which explore the therapeutic potential of circle dance as a form of gentle exercise and co-occupation to promote wellbeing amongst mothers and their babies. To address this gap in knowledge, this study aims to explore the feasibility of investigating the potential benefits of circle dance as a form of gentle physical activity and co-occupation involving women diagnosed with mental health problems within a Perinatal Community Mental Health Service and their babies in a collective form of dance.
References:
Borges da Costa, A. L., & Cox, D. L. (2016). The experience of meaning in circle dance. Journal of Occupational Science, 23(2), 196–207. https://doi.org/10.1080/14427591.2016.1162191
Badon, S. E., Iturralde, E., Nkemere, L., Nance, N., & Avalos, L. A. (2021). Perceived barriers and motivators for physical activity in women with perinatal depression. Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 18(7), 801–810. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2020-0743
Gov.UK, Public Health England (2021) Guidance: Early years high impact area 1: Supporting the transition to parenthood. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/commissioning-of-public-health-services-for-children/early-years-high-impact-area-1-supporting-the-transition-to-parenthood (Accessed 18th February 2025)
Halsall, K., Ward, K., & Jarvis, K. (2024). Understanding occupational therapy perinatal mental health practice in mothers from ethnic minorities: A qualitative study of practitioner perceived barriers and enablers. The British Journal of Occupational Therapy. https://doi.org/10.1177/03080226241295602
Olson, L. (2006) When a mother is depressed: supporting her capacity to participate in co-occupation with her baby–A case study.” Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, Vol. 22, No. 3/4, pp. 135-152.
Perinatal Quality Network. Lucas H (Eds.) (2020) Standards for community perinatal mental health teams. Publication no. CCQ1339 May London: Royal College of Psychiatry. Available at: https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/improving-care/campaigning-for-better-mental-health-policy/college-reports/2021-college-reports/perinatal-mental-health-services-CR232
Pierce, D., (2009) Co-occupation: the challenges of defining concepts original to occupational science. Journal of Occupational Science, Vol.16, No.3, pp 203-207.
Royal College of Psychiatrists (2021) College Report CR232: Perinatal mental health services: Recommendations for the provision of services for childbearing women.
UK Chief Medical Officers’ Physical Activity Guidelines (2019) Physical activity for women after childbirth (birth to 12 Months). https://assets.publishing.service.gov. uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1054567/postpart um_infographic.pdf
REC name
South Central - Berkshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/SC/0208
Date of REC Opinion
16 Jul 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion