Patients in PA Hospital’s Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit (BIRU) are now plié-ing their way to stronger mobility thanks to a unique rehabilitation program in partnership with Queensland Ballet.
The Dance Rehab initiative is a modified dance class tailored to the specific needs of patients undergoing rehab.
It’s designed to harness the power of movement, rhythm and expression to improve physical strength, mobility and coordination.
PAH patient and Dance Rehab participant Steve admitted he was sceptical at first, but has been pleasantly surprised by the sessions.
“I never thought I’d do ballet, and being a big strong guy I wasn’t too keen at the start,” he said.
“But I love the body movement, it just makes you feel good and gets you moving. Now I’m a regular.”
The weekly program was rolled out at PA Hospital in June 2025 and is loved by both patients and allied health staff alike.
“It’s a really enjoyable movement which makes it very beneficial,” said PAH Physiotherapist Liv.
“Patients don’t have to be stressed about the technique or about what they can or can’t do because there’s adaptations for different people, so it builds confidence.
“The social aspect of the program is also really good because it’s nice being together in a group, doing the same thing, and listening to music.”
Director of Queensland Ballet’s Community Health Institute Zara Gomes said the initiative puts a spin on traditional exercises for brain injury and rehabilitation patients.
“The purpose of this program is to be an additional benefit for patients who are in rehab to experience the joy of movement but in a different way – with music, artistry, focusing on the dance rather than the exercises”.
“We’re doing weekly classes at the Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS) and Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane, with plans to expand to other hospitals in 2026,” she said.
The delivery of this program is funded through the support of Queensland Health in partnership with the Queensland Ballet Community Health Institute.