Efficacy of art/movement therapy in elevating mood

Abstract

Increasingly, creative activities are being applied in psychotherapeutic situations. Art and movement (dance) therapy are two creative modalities which have been applied alone and together in the treatment of psychiatric inpatients, and numerous anecdotal accounts indicate that after participating in these therapies individuals do experience better mood and feel closer to the other group members (Alperson, 1974; Rhyne, 1973). However, almost no empirical studies have, in a systematic manner, evaluated the therapeutic effects of either art or movement therapy. Nevertheless, these therapies alone and together have been informally evaluated. For example, movement therapy is said to be effective in alleviating the isolation felt by depressed, psychotic and schizophrenic patients (Chace, 1953), with the structure of the movement group providing a context for building relationships, and the movement activity as such being found to be a satisfying experience (Bernstein, 1972; Whitehouse, 1958). Movement therapy has traditionally been used to evoke unconscious thoughts and feelings which are first dealt with on a movement level and, later, frequently processed verbally following the session (ADTA. 1974). Therapists have noted a reduction in anxiety in participants, as well as enhancement of self-esteem following a movement therapy session (Schoop, 1974). Similarly, activation of the isolated and depressed individual has been an important goal of art therapy (Naumburg, 1966; Ulman, 1975). The art activity interchange is said to form the basis for increased socialization of the withdrawn participant in that individuals who create together have been shown to develop a feeling of group cohesiveness (Kwiatkowska, 1962). By learning how to manipulate art materials, a person may be able to express, through visual imagery, thoughts and feelings that may have been difficult to verbalize, and thus to experience a cathartic and freeing effect. Thus, the graphic expressions are said to be referents that often facilitate communication between one’s inner and outer consciousness (Kramer, 1971; Rhyne, 1973). In addition, the act of creating, learning new skills, and producing something tangible has been found to boost self-esteem and to generate a sense of well-being and pleasure (Stern, 1952; Ulman, 1975). In general, art and movement therapy are utilized independently. However, the combined use of these therapies has more recently become popular (Cane, 1951; Kramer, 1971; Lachman, 1973). Several theoretical considerations seem to encourage a combined use of art forms. Current thinking in psychology suggests that the concept of integrating various sense modalities, such as changing from sensory motor experiences (movement) into more symbolic forms of thinking (art and spoken language), may be useful for