Movement to Music (M2M) is a rhythmic based exercise program delivered through Zoom in which participants can actively engage with instructors and other participants in the convenience of their own home.

Julie-Anne DenticiMovement to Music (M2M) is a rhythmic based exercise program delivered through Zoom in which participants can actively engage with instructors and other participants in the convenience of their own home. Combined with the group class environment, this is why one participant viewed the study as a gamechanger in her disability journey.

Julie-Anne Dentici, a Birmingham native, has cerebral palsy, scoliosis and lordosis. She said the fact that participation in the study could be done remotely was a huge benefit as a power wheelchair user.

“Like you don’t have to worry about getting in your car – it was just ‘wake up and do it,’” Dentici said. “Even with everything being accessible, sometimes your body’s just like, ‘Yeah, we’re not going to do that today.’ So, it’s nice to not have to fight myself to get in my car. Just open the laptop and there it is.”

The M2M study program includes classes that meet three times a week for 12 weeks. Each class has a different theme with exciting music and fun movements.

Individuals are randomized into one of two groups: one group will start the M2M class immediately, the other control group will continue with their regular activity and have an opportunity to start M2M classes later on. However, individuals are grouped together in classes based on similar levels of functional ability, which was quite appealing for Dentici, who was in a class with participants from Minnesota, New Mexico and Florida.

“To see that there were people with varying disabilities was cool because nine times out of 10 when I’m asked to be a part of something, it’s because I’m the lone person in the chair,” she said. “I was like, ‘Oh, there are other people in chairs. Okay.’”

A self-described Lakeshore lifer, Dentici said outside of the Foundation she’s been an “other” throughout her life whether it was because she was the only wheelchair user at her high school or otherwise. However, being in classes with fellow people with disabilities fostered a comforting environment.

“Sometimes it’s like, ‘Do they think that I move crazy?’ because I know I do, but once you start doing it, it’s like, ‘Oh well, we’re all doing it, and it doesn’t really matter,’” Dentici said with a laugh. “And if they think I look ridiculous, then that’s fine, I don’t necessarily have to see them again.”

“Sometimes I do have that thing of ‘well, I’m going to look weird,’ but it’s like, ‘we’re all going to look weird.”

Classes are offered at specific times. In the current phase of the study, participants have classes on Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays. Once participants have completed the study, they are given access to prerecorded classes that they are welcome to do at any time of day.

Dentici also said her participation in the study was timely because it provided a way to socialize during the pandemic.

“The whole study was really good for me because I’ve been isolated with the pandemic and even before,” she said. “It was nice to have socialization even if it was a little bit in pockets of time here and there. Because, you know, when you do stuff physically, it’s good for your body, but it’s also good for your mental health, too. It was an overall good experience for me physically, mentally and socially.”

Individuals who qualify for M2M include people diagnosed with traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, stroke, Parkinsons disease or multiple sclerosis.

For the February wave of participants, the study is currently enrolling individuals who are full-time power or manual wheelchair users or have hemiparesis, weakness on one side of the body. Individuals should be between 18-70 to enroll.

Regardless of the assigned group, control or intervention, participants will be eligible to receive compensation up to $255 which includes study equipment. All equipment will be for the participant to keep. This includes a laptop, blood pressure cuff, pulse oximeter, hand dynamometer and more.

M2M is a Disability and Rehabilitation Research Project funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living at the UAB/Lakeshore Research Collaborative.

Interested Individuals may contact M2M’s Recruitment Coordinator, Lori Theriot at (205) 313-7455 or M2Mstudy@uab.edu. Staff will complete the screening over the phone to determine if individuals are eligible. For additional questions please reach out to the Project Coordinator, Erin Hall, at (205) 975-5235 or ehall2@uab.edu.