Study participants required
Dance movement therapy
You can participate in this research. The HOPE Foundation for Research on Ageing supports this current research lead by HOPE Scholar, Ann Way (University of Auckland).
Participating in dance movement therapy
What is dance therapy?
We are looking for participants aged 25 - 85 who have mild cognitive impairment or cognitive difficulties with memory loss, who would like to participate in focus groups about dance movement therapy.
Why This Research Matters
Research shows dance-based interventions, such as Dance Movement Therapy, can serve as complementary support for individuals with memory difficulties. Learning movement steps or engaging with soft, movement-based themes can bring individuals together and help them share their stories in a creative way.
In our research, we explore the cognitive, adherence, and functional benefits of Dance Movement Therapy in mild cognitive impairment and how it might support verbal memory and abstract thinking in these individuals.
What we do
We invite focus group participants to discuss their lived experiences and contribute to our discussion about co-creating a dance movement therapy programme for people with mild cognitive impairment or cognitive difficulties with memory loss.
Two workshops will be held on 25 August and 30 October 2026 at Grafton Campus during the morning (10 am – 1 pm), with free parking available. A Zoom option will be available for those who are unable to attend in-person workshops.
Snacks and a light refreshment break will be provided, and a gift voucher will be given as a koha.
If you are interested in participating in this research, please contact Ann at ann.way@auckland.ac.nz
Swallowing
Can imagining a swallow activate the brain - just like actual swallowing?
You can participate in this research. The HOPE Foundation for Research on Ageing supports this current research lead by HOPE Scholar, Melissa Phillips (University of Canterbury).
Are you over 18? then read on ...
Why This Research Matters
Swallowing difficulties are common after stroke and neurological disease and can seriously impact health and quality of life.
Research shows that imagining movements can activate the brain in similar ways to physical movement — a technique used by athletes for over a century and increasingly studied in rehabilitation.
Imagined swallowing has not been studied enough
Your participation will help fill a critical evidence gap and support the development of safe, accessible, low‑risk rehabilitation approaches that could one day be used at home.
When to stop driving?
Are you supporting someone with memory loss who is currently driving or who has recently stopped driving?
You can participate in this research. The HOPE Foundation for Research on Ageing supports this current research lead by HOPE Scholar, Kushalata Baral.
This research aims to build a comprehensive national understanding of driving cessation among people with cognitive impairment; we are seeking your support to advance our current research. “When to stop driving? An exploration into driving cessation decision-making for people with cognitive impairment" is a research study conducted at the University of Waikato, supported by Dementia New Zealand and Dementia Waikato.
The first phase was completed in 2024 and involved six focus groups across the Waikato region with family members and health professionals. Key themes emerged around: including families in decision-making; managing complex risk; systemic support gaps; the need to normalise the transition; and the critical importance of accessible transport alternatives.
These insights directly inform the current, nationwide phase: a web-based survey aiming to capture the perspectives of over 500 New Zealanders who have supported someone with memory loss around the decision to stop driving. The goal is to translate lived experience into evidence that can advocate for clearer guidelines, better support systems and dignified transitions.
We warmly invite all affiliate organisations to promote this survey through their newsletters, social media, and other relevant channels to ensure we gather a truly representative and powerful community voice.
To the participants:
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the dedicated family members who shared their deep, personal insights during our initial focus groups. Your contributions provided the essential foundation for this work; they help us connect the rich details from our conversations on driving cessation decision-making with the broader patterns we hope to see across Aotearoa. By sharing your voice again, you help ensure the results truly reflect the experiences of families and carers.
Building on what we learned from you, we are now launching the next vital phase: a nationwide online survey. This allows us to amplify your powerful stories into broader national evidence. Your continued participation is invaluable, and the survey will remain open until 31 July 2026.
This research has ethical committee approval from the University of Waikato. Reference number: HREC(Health)2023#44, University of Waikato.