The Effects of Somatic Dance for Children and Young People with acute pain in Paediatric Healthcare

This poster shares findings to date of a study into the effects of improvised, somatic dance and movement for children and young people, who have acute pain, undergoing treatment at Alder Hey Children's hospital, UK. Utilising a mixed methodology of both quantitative and qualitative approaches to data collection and a phenomenological approach to movement/dance practice, this research is in collaboration with clinical staff and utilizes validated tools of pain assessment appropriate to the participants ability to communicate both verbally and non—verbally. The study follows six years of foundational inquiries by Small Things including a successful qualitative pilot study.