Pilot study of a manualized behavioral coaching program to improve dance performance

Abstract

Dance instructors have limited access to training and professional development in behavioral coaching. Manualized interventions have the potential benefits of being readily accessible and affordable to dance instructors wanting to implement evidence-based behavioral coaching procedures. This study examined the potential efficacy of a manualized behavioral coaching intervention, the POINTE Program, to improve student dance performance. Four dance instructors and 4 students, ages 6 to 13 years participated. A multiple baseline design across skills was used to evaluate the student outcomes. The instructors successfully used the POINTE Program to identify target dance skills and select behavioral coaching procedures, and implemented selected coaching procedures with fidelity. Their implementation of behavioral coaching procedures (e.g., auditory feedback, video modeling with video feedback) resulted in improved target dance skills for all students. The results offer initial evidence of the efficacy of using a manualized behavioral coaching program designed to increase dance performance.