Dance/Movement Therapy as an Intervention in Breast Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review.

Natalja Fatkulina,Vaiva Hendrixson,Alona Rauckiene-Michealsson,Cesar Agostinis Sobrinho,Arturas Razbadauskas,Justina Kievisiene,Duygu Ağagündüz

doi:10.1155/2021/4989282

Abstract

Aim In this paper, we systematically review the evidence looking at the effect of dance/movement therapy (DMT) and mental health outcomes and quality of life in breast cancer patients. Method The literature search was done with the databases PubMed (MEDLINE), EBSCO, and Cochrane Central by using the following search words: “dancing/dance/movement therapy,” “breast cancer/neoplasms/carcinoma/tumour” or “mammary cancer,” “mental health,” and “quality of life.” Ninety-four articles were found. Only empirical interventional studies (N = 6) were selected for the review: randomised controlled trials (RCT) (n = 5) and non-RCT (n = 1). PRISMA guidelines were used. Results Data from 6 studies including 385 participants who had been diagnosed with breast cancer, were of an average age of 55.7 years, and had participated in DMT programmes for 3–24 weeks were analysed. In each study, the main outcomes that were measured were quality of life, physical activity, stress, and emotional and social well-being. Different questionnaires were used for the evaluation of outcomes. The mental health of the participants who received DMT intervention improved: they reported a better quality of life and decreased stress, symptoms, and fatigue. Conclusion We found only six studies for review, and some had a small number of participants. However, our findings indicate that DMT could be successfully used as a complimentary therapy in addition to standard cancer treatment for improving the quality of life and mental health of women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. More research is needed to evaluate the complexity of the impact of complimentary therapies. It is possible that DMT could be more effective if used with other therapies.

Highlights

As a method of treatment, dance/movement therapy (DMT) belongs to the category of complimentary or alternative medicine [1]
A systematic literature review using PRISMA guidelines was done. e search for literature in an electronic format was done in the databases PubMed (MEDLINE), EBSCO, and Cochrane Central by using the following terms: “dancing/dance/movement therapy,” “breast cancer/neoplasms/carcinoma/tumour,” “mammary cancer,” “mental health,” and “quality of life.”
Location of Studies/Geography. e interventional experimental studies about the impact of DMT were conducted in various countries and continents: in Europe from Greece and Portugal [2, 3]; in Asia two from Hong Kong, but they were done by the same team in different years [18, 19]; in North America two from the USA [20, 21]; and in South America from Brazil [3], see Table 1

Summary

Introduction

As a method of treatment, dance/movement therapy (DMT) belongs to the category of complimentary or alternative medicine [1]. Since dance is a type of physical activity, some authors have proposed that it should be used as an additional therapy for women with breast cancer to achieve some health benefits [2, 3]. DMT explores awareness, expression, and acceptance of the body, which can improve physical, emotional, and cognitive integration [4]. E American Dance erapy Association (ADTA) defines DMT as a multidimensional approach that integrates body awareness, creative expression, and the psychotherapeutic use of movement to promote the emotional, social, cognitive, and physical integration of the individual to improve health and well-being [6]. 13% of women (1 in 8) will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in their lifetime [9].

Methods

Results

Conclusion