In 2011, CCD (then an informal group/blog) commissioned Angela Liong, artistic director of Arts Fission Company to conduct 6 creative movement sessions with 10 patients diagnosed with mild to moderate dementia. The study was conducted and evaluated by Dr Shahul Hameed, Dr Christopher Gabriel and Dr Simon Ting of the Department of Neurology, Singapore General Hospital.

The Alzheimer’s Disease Quality of Life Inventory was used to measure the outcomes of these sessions with the participants. Findings reveal general improvements in perceptions of quality of life by both participants and caregivers. Caregivers reported a general decrease in the frequency and severity of inappropriate behaviours following the workshops.

In conclusion, the Everyday Waltzes programme helped improve physical skills which in turn led to perceptions of increased quality of life and improved behaviours. A larger sample size and a longer programme needs to be explored to establish the findings and to utilise the programme as a clinical programme.