Research Grants
Hanny Exiner Memorial Foundation (HEMF) grants are awarded annually for research studies and projects conducted in Australasia which contribute to the knowledge base of dance movement therapy (DMT) and advance understandings of dance as a healing art. Grants are awarded annually. For more information go to HEMF
Reference List
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Supritha Aithal, Vicky Karkou, Stergios Makris, Themis Karaminis, & Joanne Powell. (2021). A Dance Movement Psychotherapy Intervention for the Wellbeing of Children With an Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Intervention Study. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.588418
Chen, T., Wen, R., Liu, H., Zhong, X., & Jiang, C. (2022). Dance intervention for negative symptoms in individuals with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 47, N.PAG. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2022.101565
Fan, X., & Ko, K. S. (2023). Dance/Movement Therapy for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in China: Clinical Case Study. American Journal of Dance Therapy: Publication of the American Dance Therapy Association, 45(2), 191–210. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10465-023-09385-6
Hildebrandt, M. K., Koch, S. C., & Fuchs, T. (2016). We Dance and Find Each Other: Effects of Dance/Movement Therapy on Negative Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Behavioral Sciences (2076-328X), 6(4), bs6040024. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs6040024
Hartshorn, K., Olds, L., Field, T., Delage, J., Cullen, C., & Escalona, A. (2001). Creative Movement Therapy Benefits Children with Autism. Early Child Development & Care, 166(1), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1080/0300443011660101
Edwards, J. (2015). Exploring sensory sensitivities and relationships during group dance movement psychotherapy for adults with autism. Body, Movement and Dance in Psychotherapy, 10(1), 5–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/17432979.2014.978894
Koch, S. C., Mehl, L., Sobanski, E., Sieber, M., & Fuchs, T. (2015). Fixing the Mirrors: A Feasibility Study of the Effects of Dance Movement Therapy on Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 19(3), 338–350.
Mastrominico, A., Koch, S. C., Fuchs, T., Manders, E., Steffinger, L., Hirjak, D., Sieber, M., Thomas, E., Holzinger, A., Konrad, A., & Bopp, N. (2018). Effects of Dance Movement Therapy on Adult Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Behavioral Sciences, 8(7), 61. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs8070061
Manders, E., Koch, S. C., & Fuchs, T. (2022). A Case for Playful Engagement: Synchrony and Interaction Quality During Mirroring in ASD. Conceptual Framework and Case Study. American Journal of Dance Therapy, 44(2), 143–167. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10465-022-09359-0
Martin, M. (2014). Moving on the spectrum: Dance/movement therapy as a potential early intervention tool for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 41(5), 545–553. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2014.10.003
Morris, P., Hope, E., Foulsham, T., & Mills, J. P. (2021). The Effectiveness of Mirroring- and Rhythm-Based Interventions for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Systematic Review. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-021-00236-z
Scatozza, L., Bryden, P. J., & Fletcher, P. C. (2023). The effects of dance movement therapy for children with Autism spectrum disorder. RESEARCH IN DANCE EDUCATION. https://doi.org/10.1080/14647893.2023.2285028
Scharoun, S. M., Reinders, N. J., Bryden, P. J., & Fletcher, P. C. (2014). Dance/Movement Therapy as an Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. American Journal of Dance Therapy: Publication of the American Dance Therapy Association, 36(2), 209–228. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10465-014-9179-0
Seach, D. (2007). Interactive Play with Children with Autism. Routledge, London
Sengupta, M., & Banerjee, M. (2020). Effect of dance movement therapy on improving communication and body attitude of the persons with autism, an experimental approach. Body, Movement & Dance in Psychotherapy, 15(4), 267–279. https://doi.org/10.1080/17432979.2020.1794961
Takahashi, H., Matsushima, K., & Kato, T. (2019). The Effectiveness of Dance/Movement Therapy Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review. American Journal of Dance Therapy, 41(1), 55–74. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10465-019-09296-5
Teixeira-Machado, L., Arida, R. M., Ziebold, C., Barboza, A. B., Ribeiro, L., Teles, M. C., Rodrigues da Cunha Azevedo, G., Silvestre de Paula, C., Lowenthal, R., & Mari de Jesus, J. (2022). A pilot randomized controlled clinical trial of dance practice for functionality in autistic children and adolescent with all levels of need support. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 49(), pp. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2022.101650
Wadsworth, J., & Hackett, S. (2014). Dance movement psychotherapy with an adult with autistic spectrum disorder: An observational single-case study. Body, Movement & Dance in Psychotherapy, 9(2), 59–73. https://doi.org/10.1080/17432979.2014.893259
Dance Movement Therapy and ADHD
Grönlund, E., Renck, B., & Weibull, J. (2005). Dance/Movement Therapy as an Alternative Treatment for Young Boys Diagnosed as ADHD: A Pilot Study. American Journal of Dance Therapy, 27(2), 63–85. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10465-005-9000-1
Selissky, M. A. (2017). Embodiment of a fictional character during Dance movement therapy with an adolescent ADD patient: Case study. Body, Movement & Dance in Psychotherapy, 12(3), 195–209. https://doi.org/10.1080/17432979.2017.1344140
Shilpa, J., & Shetty, A. P. (2015). Effectiveness of dance movement therapy on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder children aged between 6-12 years. Manipal Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences (MJNHS), 1(1), 19-23. https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/effectiveness-dance-movement-therapy-on-attention/docview/2114223646/se-2
Psychosocial Disability
Biondo, J., & Bryl, K. (2020). WHEN WORDS AREN’T ENOUGH: DANCE/ MOVEMENT THERAPY AND SCHIZOPHRENIA…Schizophrenia International Research Society (SIRS) 2020 Congress. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 46, S110–S111. https://doi.org/10.1093/schbul/sbaa031.256
Bresler Nardi, A., Bat Or, M., & Shuper Engelhard, E. (2022). Dance movement therapy processes and interventions in the treatment of children with anxiety disorders derived from therapy logs. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2022.101951
Bryl, K., Bradt, J., Cechnicki, A., Fisher, K., Sossin, K. M., & Goodill, S. (2022). The role of dance/movement therapy in the treatment of negative symptoms in schizophrenia: a mixed methods pilot study. Journal of Mental Health, 31(5), 613–623. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638237.2020.1757051
Christopher, N., & Tamplin, J. (2022). The Use of Kinesthetic Empathy with Adults Living with Treatment Resistant Depression: A Survey Study. American Journal of Dance Therapy, 44(2), 115–142. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10465-022-09371-4
Dieterich-Hartwell, R. (2023). Art and Movement as Catalysts for Insight Into the Human Condition of Depression. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 46(4), 276–284. https://doi.org/10.1037/prj0000550
Gokcen, A., Ekici, G., Abaoglu, H., & Sen, D. T. (2020). The healing effect of goal-oriented dance and movement therapy in schizophrenia: A rater-blinded randomized controlled trial. ARTS IN PSYCHOTHERAPY, 71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2020.101702
Karkou, V., Aithal, S., Zubala, A. & Meekums. B. (2019). Effectiveness of Dance Movement Therapy in the Treatment of Adults With Depression: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analyses. Frontiers in Psychology, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00936
Millman, L. S. M., Terhune, D. B., Hunter, E. C. M., & Orgs, G. (2021). Towards a neurocognitive approach to dance movement therapy for mental health: A systematic review. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 28(1), 24–38. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.2490
Other Disabilities and Dance Movement Therapy
Cherriere, C., Robert, M., Fung, K., Tremblay Racine, F., Tallet, J., & Lemay, M. (2020). Is there evidence of benefits associated with dancing in children and adults with cerebral palsy? A scoping review. Disability & Rehabilitation, 42(23), 3395–3402. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2019.1590866
Ladwig, J. C., Broeckelmann, E. M., Sibley, K. M., Ripat, J., & Glazebrook, C. M. (2024). A synthesis of the characteristics of dance interventions engaging adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities: a scoping review. Disability & Rehabilitation, 46(10), 1954–1961. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2023.2217384
Pandya, S. P. (2024). Women with disabilities, body image, and wellbeing: Assessing the effectiveness of dance sessions. Journal of Bodywork & Movement Therapies, 39, 142–155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2024.02.019
Teixeira-Machado, L., Azevedo-Santos, I., & DeSantana, J. M. (2017). Dance Improves Functionality and Psychosocial Adjustment in Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE & REHABILITATION, 96(6), 424–429. https://doi.org/10.1097/PHM.0000000000000646