Our systematic review demonstrated that dance was feasible for people with mild to moderate Multiple Sclerosis (MS) with weak but positive changes in walking, cognition, fatigue, wellbeing, mood, sense of achievement and belonging, however, there were no studies of dance in people with moderate to severe MS.
Scottish Ballet (SB) delivers internationally leading Dance for Health programmes including SB Elevate®, their dance classes for people with MS (www.scottishballet.co.uk/join-in/sb-health/elevate). Although this programme is open to anyone with MS, those who attend the class are generally mild to moderately affected by their condition.
Scottish Ballet has developed a digital strand to their SB Elevate® programme, with a hybrid (studio and home-based) delivery of dance classes supported by digital resources. The aim of this development was to support people with MS who find it difficult to attend in person classes owing to their rural location, transport issues, or higher levels of disability. This PhD student will work in collaboration with Scottish Ballet to explore the barriers and facilitators for people with moderate to severe MS in accessing and engaging in the different forms of SB Elevate® and evaluate and refine SB Elevate® (in-person, hybrid and remote) specifically for participants with higher levels of disability.
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