A Dance/Movement Therapy Clinical Model for Women with Gynecologic Cancer Undergoing High Dose Rate Brachytherapy

Abstract

This literature-based study generated a clinical dance/movement therapy program intended for patients with gynecological cancer to run concurrently with the high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy treatment. A ten-week clinical model combines elements from established dance/movement therapy practices to specifically address psychological and psychosocial issues relevant to the targeted patient population. In order to develop an appropriate intervention, the movement tasks and themes chosen were based on findings of their effectiveness in various studies. Dance/movement therapy has been shown to directly address psychological issues, such as self-image, anxiety and depression, through a holistic approach which serves to aid the healing process of the individual by strengthening the mind–body connection. These psychological issues occur as secondary stressors to medical conditions, such as cancer, and may reduce a patient’s quality of life and abilities to cope with their illness. For patients diagnosed with gynecologic cancer these secondary stressors may include altered self-image, sense of isolation or betrayal by one’s body, anxiety, depression, and complications related to sexuality. The following article correlates the efficacy of dance/movement therapy applied to patients with gynecologic cancer being treated with HDR brachytherapy.