Page 65 - Proceedings Collega2023

Using the heuristic outline should relieve one’s anxiety of questioning. I could recognize that the questions
were within a process that would provide signposts, epiphanies and realisations.

One of the challenges of working as one of the researchers and instructors in the project was
finding a moment of true engagement and maintaining it. We learned to recognize participants’ feedback
and interpret their responses to inform the importance of therapy among PwDA with mental illness. This
research aims to perpetuate healing and to stay with the trust, and goodwill nurtured in the relationship
with the participants.

Findings

The objectives of this paper are to propose an alternative process of therapeutic for PwDA with
depression and to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed alternative process of therapeutic for PwDA
with depression through a pilot study. This research approach to learning about performing Arts therapy
through an alternative process of therapeutic needed to be flexible to allow it to grow in a personally
enlightening way, and for it to be creatively empowering. Within the pilot study, I became immersed in the
experience of sharing knowledge with the participants. Background of Igal, basic movement of Igal,
techniques in drama, and phrases as well as the structure of the storyline were shared with the
participants.

The design of the alternative process applied the techniques in Emunah’s Integrated Five Phases
Model, including: (a) interactive dramatic play; (b) developing theatrical (and fictional) scene work; (c)
role-playing dealing with personal situations; (d) exploring core life themes; (e) dramatic ritual related to
the closure. As for Igal, we chose a few basic movements that are suitable for PwDA using wheelchairs by
focusing on the upper body onlu, including Takium (smile), A ngiddat (raising eyebrows), pahangad-
hangad (nodding head), angalimbai (waving over the head), sinayangan (flying movement), pabettad
(three varieties hand movements), and tangan palantik (the palm pushing), Tinaut taut (hands swaying
slowly). This movement is shared at the beginning of the alternative process before playing with the
activities chosen in Emunah’s Model of Dramatherapy. The session is divided into three (3) parts: 1)
Beginning of the Session and Series (emotion, expression, Group interaction, Physical activation, Trust,
Observation, and Concentration); 2) Mid-Session and Mid-Series (Expression and Communication, Group
Collaboration and, Interrelation, Self-Revelation); and 3) Closure of Session and Series (Interconnection,
Collective Creativity and Reflection, Intergroup Perceptions, Reviews, Integration, and Celebration). In this
session, the study ascertained that the PwDA gave their full commitment to the process.
The nature of heuristic research, confirms stages namely: of learning development with
illuminations and gives rise to a new level of questions through the act of documenting them to see
objectively. (O’Bierne, 2014). While within the initial phase of self-dialogue, immersion, and improvisation,
they needed to trust the process of indwelling and practice elucidating their tacit knowledge and intuition
of how to proceed. Using the heuristic outline relieved my anxiety of questioning. I could recognize that
the questions were within a process that would provide signposts, epiphanies, and realizations. Through
the feedback form, it showed that 15 out of 17 participants (PwDA) were very satisfied with the
organization of the project. According to one of the participants, Nerosha A/P Krishnan (personal
interview, 2023) as the user of a wheelchair, she needs more programs like this as therapy as well as a
platform to show her talents in dancing and acting. Nerosha is one of the active members of OKU Sentral

International Conference on Local Wisdom of the Malay Archipelago (COLLEGA 2023) Page - 52 -