Dance Health Research
We want to bring communities closer to our artform by sharing all that we do and all that we learn.
Our aim is to enrich lives and contribute to wellness across society. We will research, develop, partner with collaborators to deliver initiatives that positively impact all dimensions of wellbeing; social, cultural, emotional, physical, environmental and intellectual.
The foundation of Queensland Ballet's Dance Health initiatives is to partner with other organisations to investigate the varied benefits of dance and movement in the lives of many different people. We want to create a narrative where dance is not only for fit young people who have experience in dance, and to make dance more accessible for more people and communities.
We take part in research programs to understand how dance affects health and wellbeing for young and old people, develop partnerships in regional communities to allow for opportunities there that may not have been previously available, supply unique training opportunities for health professionals, and look for ways to make dance more accessible within our own studios and theatres.
Research reports
In 2021 Queensland Ballet delivered the Ballet for Brain Injury pilot program – a tailored dance program for people living with a brain injury delivered in partnership with Hopkins Centre, Griffith University, Queensland Conservatorium Research Centre and Citrine Sun Entertainment.
This report provides evaluation feedback from participants and facilitators, and makes recommendations for future iterations of the program and further research.
In 2013, Queensland Ballet launched a pilot program offering specialised dance classes to people with Parkinson's Disease, based on the internationally recognised Dance for PD® program.
The Dance for Veterans program aims to enhance quality of life for veterans experiencing PTSD or other trauma-related psychological injury. Supported by RSL Queensland, it is the first collaboration of its kind between a world class ballet company and a national ex-service person’s organisation. The program is delivered across eight weeks at the Queensland Ballet studios, and facilitated by qualified dance Teaching Artists. Through the combination of progressive instruction through dance manoeuvres, together with facilitated social connection, participants are supported to improve their psychological, physical, social and environmental health. The instruction program references historical connections between military movement and dance, facilitating personal expression and confidence-building.
Levels of psychological distress amongst transitioned veterans are significantly higher than that of the wider Australian community, with almost three times more veterans reporting high to very high psychological distress (33.1%) compared with the Australian community (12.8%), and significantly higher suicide rates amongst Veterans compared with the general Australian population, with suicide rates on average 27% higher for ex-serving males, and 107% higher for ex-serving females.
In 2023, Dr Rick Maher conducted his PhD research project with Queensland University of Technology (QUT) at Queensland Ballet, to ascertain the effect that dance would have upon the quality of life of veterans who have experienced a trauma based psychological injury. The research sought to measure the participants’ perceptions of their physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and how they understood the stability of their environment. Program participants reported results that trended in a positive direction as to how they perceived their Quality of Life across all four of these domains.
In relation to perceptions of physical health, participants reported a positive effect on activities such as daily living, dependence on medical substances and medical aids, energy and fatigue, mobility, pain and discomfort, sleep and rest, and work capacity. The findings in relation to the psychological health domain exceeded expectations and indicate that the dance intervention program contributes to veterans’ psychological well-being by facilitating active engagement with dance and rhythm and enhances their socio-emotional abilities as a result of class participation. These findings are consistent with the World Health Organisation’s acknowledgement that arts-based mental health programs contribute to mental health recovery and well-being of people with mental health injuries.
The veterans also reported improvements in their social relationships whilst participating in the program, and noted that physical environmental factors such as the dance studio and the Queensland Ballet site served to motivate and provide a sense of community belonging. Additionally, the participants reported that the program enhanced their capacity to interact in public spaces outside that of the home environment.
Qualitative lines of inquiry also allowed for the veterans to expand upon their physical health, their emotional wellbeing, their feelings about being in a veteran group setting, the program delivery, and the program facilitators. The findings reflected that the veterans’ capacity to explore the depth and richness of inner experience, facilitate personal growth, and clinical interactions and interventions were enhanced through dance.
Piloted in 2023 and running regularly since then, Dance for Arthritis is a 10-week arthritis exercise program delivered online, allowing participants to join from the comfort of home. Queensland Ballet’s experienced Teaching Artists guide participants through a range of adapted dance exercises and Queensland Ballet repertoire inspired movement.
Queensland Ballet has partnered with The Arthritis Movement to develop this online group dance program. The Arthritis Movement connects with participants during the 10-week program to help support motivation and provide additional resources, so participants can incorporate safe movement into their lifestyles. A research collaboration is currently underway between The University of Queensland, Queensland Ballet and The Arthritis Movement, to examine participants experiences of the program and outcomes, using validated measurement tools and a qualitative interview process for those who participate. Research results are expected in late 2025
In 2017, Queensland Ballet undertook research on the health and wellbeing benefits of ballet for mature adults.
An inclusive school-based dance program for students of all abilities. Developed by AllPlay Dance, Deakin University Child Study Centre - July 2020
Enabled through the John Villier's Trust, in 2019 Queensland Ballet delivered a pilot Regional Teacher Training program for its early years dance program; QB Petit Pointers.
In 2018, Queensland Ballet partnered with Lady Gowrie Caboolture East Community Kindergarten and Queensland University of Technology to deliver the Kindy Moves program, supported by Arts Queensland’s Artists in Residence program.
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Regional programs
Each year Queensland Ballet delivers a program of community workshops and ballet performances to regional Queensland - engaging more people in dance.
Dance classes
We make dance accessible to all ages and ability levels with our weekly program of dance, pilates, and movement classes in Brisbane.
Workshops
View our schedule of up-coming workshops and dance events - everyone is welcome to participate.
