Dance Therapy Research Articles

Assessment of Socio-economic, Psychological Needs and Expectations of Internally Displaced Persons in Ukraine

"The article investigates the socio-economic and psychological conditions and needs of 123 IDPs in the city of Uman, Cherkasy region, Ukraine, and identifies their qualifications and the possibility of employment in their speciality, access to useful information, the possibility of receiving state assistance and meeting basic needs, reveals violations of the psycho-emotional state and the need for rehabilitation, the state of physical and mental health, etc. It is proved that a prerequisite for successful adaptation of IDPs to new realities is to take into account their psycho-emotional state. The most common stress factors are constant anxiety about their relatives and friends, inability to meet basic needs and internal fear of an unknown future. The study identified security, economic, social and psychological reasons that prevent people from returning to their places of residence and reasons that may encourage IDPs to return home. The study identified the following types of activities that have a therapeutic effect: bibliotherapy, nature therapy, isotherapy, music therapy, dance, sound, and occupational therapy. It has been found that 82.5% of IDPs do not realise the need for meetings with a psychologist to improve their psycho-emotional state, 13.8% of IDPs are conscious of their own mental well-being, and only 2.4% of IDPs are unsure."

From Tradition to Diversity, Innovation, and Breakthrough: Key Conversations on Dance Therapy Around the World

In the World Arts & Embodiment Forum 2023, a key conversation was held with an international panel. This panel convened 16 international experts in dance and movement therapy to discuss their personal contributions to the field’s development in their respective countries. The aim was to create a space for sharing experiences and knowledge paradigms, embracing the diversity of emerging forms. Encouraging a creative environment, the panel fosters open dialogue to support the uniqueness of approaches and experiences. These presentation summaries have, in some instances, been edited for publication. These discussions provide insight into the profession’s evolution in a diverse world, fostering a collective understanding of key developments. The panel reflects a spirit of global collaboration and consolidation.

Voices from the Field: Investigating the Emergent Form of an Indigenous Dance Movement Therapy Training Program in South Africa

The article describes the author’s involvement in the development of an innovative academic dance movement therapy (DMT) training program during her Fulbright Senior Scholar assignments in Johannesburg, South Africa, spanning from the early 2020 to her subsequent return in 2023. It highlights the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasizes the author’s dedication to engaging with key interested parties and some of the significant voices in the fields of dance and movement education, community work, training, and therapy in South Africa. Situated within the Drama for Life program at the University of the Witwatersrand, this article explores the author’s goal of participating in the dialogue about the crafting of an Afro-centric training program in DMT. This program is designed to integrate existing practices and forms in dance movement and performance with cultural and spiritual elements, incorporating multiple histories, and including indigenous knowledge systems to inspire, and to integrate some of these perspectives and collaborative opportunities within the program design.

Arts Informed Research: Research on the Relationships between Immigrant/Refugee Children and Children Born in the Host Country

The field of Social Cognitive Psychology has traditionally been the focal point for researching relationships between immigrants and those considered natives in the host countries within social science literature. However, the author considers this paradigm insufficient to comprehend the intricate dynamics. The emotional and unconscious undercurrents in these interactions remain unexplored. Drawing on a background in dance movement therapy, drama therapy, and psychodrama, the researcher introduced clinical arts therapy tools to address this gap. Focusing on girls and boys, drama emerged as the most fitting method. This article provides a glimpse into a novel model of drama groups developed as part of an extensive year-long research program. Initially chosen based on the study’s focus and participants’ age, the approach eventually aligned with the broader framework of Arts Informed Research (AIR).

Harmonizing Mind, Body, and Earth: Exploring the Therapeutic Synergy of Dance Movement Therapy and Ecopsychology

Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) has emerged as a versatile and impactful approach to promoting holistic well-being, bridging the intricate connections between the mind, body, and the environment. This comprehensive literature review explores the diverse landscape of recent studies to illuminate the therapeutic potential of DMT in addressing various mental health concerns and enhancing overall psychological and physiological health. The exploration begins with Berger's (2021) investigation into the intersection of DMT practices and ecopsychology, highlighting the development of an eco-somatic community workshop. This study underscores the healing potential of an embodied connection to the natural world, fostering a sense of kinship and responsibility to both individual and collective well-being. Further insights are provided through examinations of DMT interventions with adolescents, biomolecular effects of dance activities, and the widespread use of grounding exercises. Studies by Auborg (2018), Nieves and Jakobsche (2022), and Bräuninger (2015) collectively emphasize the positive impact of movement experiences on motivation, emotional well-being, and the mind-body connection, particularly in populations dealing with anxiety and depression. Additionally, research by Elakiya (2021), Hyvönen et al. (2020), and Karkou et al. (2019) showcases the efficacy of DMT in reducing anxiety and depression levels across diverse populations, including nursing students, individuals diagnosed with depression, and adults coping with Parkinson's disease. The exploration extends to the realm of children's mental health, with Nardi et al.'s (2022) qualitative assessment of DMT techniques for children with anxiety, providing insights into thetherapeutic model based on "mirroring" interventions. These findings collectively underscore the versatility and applicability of DMT in addressing mental health challenges across various demographics and contexts. As the research unfolds, a comprehensive understanding of DMT's therapeutic potential emerges, emphasizing its role in fostering well-being and addressing mental health concerns within an evolving and diverse landscape.

Let the Body Talk: Preliminary Data of an Open Trial of Dance Movement Therapy for Eating Disorders.

There is growing support for considering Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) as an effective approach to improving physical and psychological symptoms in eating disorders (ED), but additional evidence is needed. The current study aims to investigate the effectiveness of a DMT intervention for inpatients with ED during an in-hospital rehabilitation program for ED in reducing emotion dysregulation and alexithymia and improving interoceptive awareness. Forty-nine consecutive inpatient young women with ED (aged between 18 and 34 years) recruited from a clinical center for the rehabilitation of obesity and ED received four group sessions of DMT intervention. All participants completed the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS), and the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness Scale (MAIA) before (Time 0) and after the intervention (Time 1). Paired-sample t-tests were run to assess differences between Time 0 to Time 1. From pre-to-post interventions, there was a significant reduction in the means of all of the subscales of DERS, suggesting an improvement in emotion regulation competencies, with the only exception for difficulties in awareness that increased (p = 0.016). We also found a significant reduction in alexithymia, as proved by significant differences in all of the subscales and the total score of TAS (p < 0.001), and significant improvements in interoceptive awareness as suggested by increased scores of the noticing (p = 0.043), emotional awareness (p < 0.001), body listening (p < 0.001), and trusting (p < 0.001) subscales of MAIA. Overall, our results point towards the efficacy of dance/movement in reducing symptoms of eating disorders. Our findings also suggest that dancing can be considered a useful intervention to increase emotional regulation, reduce alexithymia, and enhance interoceptive awareness.

The role and value of pleasure in dance/movement therapy experience: beyond the limits of science

The human experience of pleasure as a feeling is surprisingly evasive and poorly understood. While mental health practitioners often focus on symptoms of psychological disorders such as depression, compulsion, lack of meaning/purpose (emptiness), phobias and fears, and adverse physiological functioning of sleeping, eating, elimination and sexual activity/experience, the fundamental complaint of clients and patients is an inability to enjoy their lives with a sense of well-being. This article will attempt to show that enjoyment, well-being, and the experience of pleasure however are not determined either by cognitive activity (state of mind), nor by physiological factors of nutrition, fitness, or dietary supplements. Rather, pleasure and fear are best understood energetically. As Wilhelm Reich pointed out nearly 100 years ago, and as incorporated in the somatic psychotherapy of Bioenergetics, and dance/movement therapy (DMT), fear produces contraction while pleasure produces expansion, psychically and physically. It is a simple intuitive fact with broad and deep implications yet is unaccepted in academic psychology.

Exploring the transformative power of dance: A scoping review of dance interventions for adults with intellectual disabilities.

The aim of this scoping literature review (SCR) was to analyze the impact of dance on adults with intellectual disabilities, specifically examining its influence on their mobility, interpersonal relationships, well-being, and overall quality of life. A total of 15 papers were reviewed in order to explore the effects of dance on the well-being and quality of life of adults with intellectual disabilities. The findings indicated significant improvements in body awareness, increased engagement in physical activity, and enhanced mental health. This SCR demonstrates that dance is an effective means of facilitating social interaction among adults with intellectual disabilities, both with their therapists and family members. Additionally, the review uncovered valuable data on dance therapy programs designed for adults with intellectual disabilities, highlighting their potential to promote physical activity and reduce stress levels.

Effect of dance movement therapy on balance in adults with Down Syndrome. A pilot study.

Systematic participation in dance therapy may improve balance and reduce risk of falls. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of dance therapy on balance and risk of falls in adults with Down syndrome. Study participants comprised 23 persons with Down syndrome aged 26- 49 years who underwent dance therapy. Before and after the therapy, all participants were measured on a BioSway balance platform using three tests: postural stability, limits of stability, and M-CTSIB fall risk. Mean result was lower following intervention (2.40 ± 1.81 vs. 1.65 ± 1.32; p = .006) in the postural stability test. The limits of stability test found a statistically significant difference (26.30 ± 8.99 vs. 37.90 ± 12.54; p < .001). The results of this study only partially supported the hypothesis that dance therapy improves balancing skills in adults with Down Syndrome.

Arts therapies for mental disorders in COVID-19 patients: a comprehensive review.

The COVID-19 global pandemic has necessitated the urgency for innovative mental health interventions. We performed a comprehensive review of the available literature on the utility and efficacy of arts therapies in treating mental health problems, with special emphasis on their deployment during the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to provide some evidence for the application of this therapy. The potential studies were systematically sourced from five authoritative databases: PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and the CNKI database. The evaluation of these studies was conducted based on stringent criteria, including validity, suitability, therapeutic potential, and consistency. Each piece of included literature was meticulously scored in accordance with these criteria, thus ensuring the inclusion of only the most robust studies in this review. The data from these Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) were carefully extracted using the PICO(S) framework, ensuring a comprehensive and systemic approach to data collection. In order to emphasize the variability in the effects of differing arts therapies on COVID-19-induced psychiatric disturbances, the sourced literature was systematically categorized and scrutinized based on distinct modalities. Out of the 7,250 sourced articles, 16 satisfied the inclusion conditions. The therapies were predominantly meditation (n = 7), supplemented by individual studies on color therapy (n = 3), music therapy (n = 2), and single studies on horticultural therapy, dance therapy, mindfulness and music therapy, and yoga and music therapy (n = 4 collectively). These various forms of arts therapies had a positive short to medium-term impact on the mental health of COVID-19 patients. Besides improving patients' physical and mental health, these therapies can also be employed to mitigate mental health issues among healthcare professionals. The COVID-19 pandemic has profound and long-lasting implications for public mental health. Diverse forms of arts therapies are potentially effective in addressing related psychiatric symptoms. The integration of artificial intelligence might further enhance the efficacy and scalability of arts therapies in future implementations.

REMIND – a novel “Music‐Movement‐Mind” intervention for the prevention of dementia

AbstractBackgroundLifestyle‐based motor, sensory and cognitive enrichment can target several health risk factors in the older populations by improving psychosocial, cognitive and physical (dys)function1,2. Based on these findings, we developed a novel intervention called REMIND (An Envi r onmental E nrich m ent I ntervention to Preve n t D ementia) for the promotion of healthy aging. REMIND uses dance movement therapy (DMT) and Tango Sistema Dinzel© to integrate enriching activities based on music, movement and mind into a multimodal program.ObjectiveTo present the REMIND program and feasibility check of the telehealth adaptation.MethodsThe intervention was developed and manualized in collaboration with neuropsychologists, neuroscientists and DMT specialists. Several modes of training are employed throughout the program, consisting of the three core components “Music, Movement, and Mind”. These core components are practiced simultaneously using facilitator‐guided exercises, each consisting of motor, sensory, cognitive, emotional, and social stimulations with increasing complexity. As such REMIND enables multimodal enrichment with the goal to improve cognitive and mental health of older adults by activating beneficial brain plasticity. The adaptation of the program into the telehealth setting was assessed qualitatively in four online expert sessions for feasibility.ResultsThe REMIND program is published as an open access manual (doi.org/10.30819/5504) targeting the older population3. Through the simultaneous combination of motor (Movement), sensory (Music), and mental (Mind) stimulations, REMIND promotes enrichment of the body and mind. In the telehealth setting, the multimodal exercises are best practiced via an interactive video‐conference platform, adapted to the needs of older people, using small groups (n = 4‐8) and guidance of a trained facilitator. Break‐out groups, feedback rounds, and joined participation of family members are used to enhance and sustain inter‐personal contact and positive learning experiences in the digital environment. Supplementary on‐site sessions can facilitate social integration and participation.ConclusionThe REMIND program provides a low‐threshold prevention and early intervention tool that is accessible to the target group and health care system. Adaptation to the telehealth setting is cost‐effective, adaptable to individual needs and can be integrated into everyday life. A proof‐of‐concept study will evaluate feasibility and effectiveness of the REMIND program to promote psychosocial, cognitive and physical wellbeing in older adults.

Multicultural Dance/Movement Therapy to address Adolescent Depression and Anxiety

Depression and anxiety in the United States are becoming more prevalent in the youth population in recent decades and have been exacerbated by COVID-19 pandemic. Rates of poor mental health outcomes are also more prevalent within gender and racial minorities. Current effective interventions to improve adolescent mental health is limited to individual CBT Therapy and some arts programs. Dance Therapy is a well known alternative arts program that has shown to have physiological, mental, and social benefits. However, traditional group dance therapy programs based on Western culture and ideals neither include the unique experiences of the diversifying student population nor do they wholly address students’ mental and social needs. Cultural dances, in the context of the Western world, are traditional dance practices that serve different functions within the local culture. Many are ancient practices that have shown to have deep psychological and social benefits. Our paper proposes a new school-based multicultural dance therapy program that incorporates international cultural dances to improve physical, mental, and social health. Further research is needed to prove that physical, mental, and social health issues may be resolved through the therapeutic effects of multicultural dance therapy.

Therapeutic impact of music in young deaf patients with aggressive behavior disorder

In France metropolitan, 5 182 000 people have hearing loss (8.7% of the population), of which 4.1% are under 20 years of age. In children, hearing impairment is sought in the presence of depression, hyperactivity, impulsivity, instability accompanied by intense anger, and aggressive behavior. So far, the impact of dance and music on deaf people has been little studied. In this context, we recently initiated a project in mediated therapeutic workshops; Devoted to hearing-impaired adolescents or young adults with behavioral problems. The main objective of this project is to foster the adaptability of these young people with severe behavior problems. Protocol: 4 volunteers with moderate to profound deafness were included in this prospective study (2 F and 2 M, aged 19.5 ± 5.0 years). These patients exhibited daily behavioral disorders with stereotypies and aggressiveness with moderate to severe intensity according to the Behavior Problems Inventory (BPI-01). These young people attended weekly sessions lasting more than 12 months at the Music / Percussion Workshop in the presence of an instructor and nurse therapist. Outcome and Discussion: No voluntary withdrawal of the project was recorded. A very strong behavioral improvement was noted in 3/4 of the cases and a slight improvement in 1/4 of the cases. This study has shown that hearing loss is compensated by various adaptive processes, in particular by multi sensorial interactivity (such as the interactivity between touch and vision) and through mirror neuronal system. Conclusion: This study showed hearing impaired people are sensitive and receptive to the sound world and to rhythmic movement. This finding has been put to the benefit of rehabilitation through Music and Dance Therapies which has improved the behavioral disorder and blossoming of the group rehabilitation through Music and Dance Therapies of young people suffering from medium to profound deafness with severe behavior problems.

CREATIVITY OF KAZAKH PEOPLE IN THE CONTEXT OF KARA JORGA DANCE: PRESERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT PROSPECTS OF KAZAKH CULTURAL HERITAGE

This research is devoted to the study of the examples of the early Kazakh folk dance kara jorga, also referred to as the dance of joints, preserved on the territory of Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia, and the Altai Region (Western Siberia, Russia). Research based on a generalized art history analysis, the characteristics of the performance of Kazakh dances on the territory of China, Mongolia, the Altai Region, and Kazakhstan are presented. The results of the study were obtained with the help of the historical analysis of the traditional culture of the Kazakhs of the 20th and the beginning of the 21st centuries, search expeditions, the study of scientific and methodological methods of professional and creative skills of performers, as well as the performing, research, and pedagogical experience that we have accumulated. Research includes analysis dance kara jorga in the aspect of “first” and “second” existence. It is considered in the context of two components of creativity (first – novelty, second – usefullness, effectiveness, or value) and the prospects of its application in the field of dance therapy.

The effects of dance movement therapy for children with Autism spectrum disorder

ABSTRACT Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition characterized by social/communication challenges and restrictive or repetitive behaviours. While motor challenges are not considered core diagnostic criteria, they are common among children with ASD. Additional evidence suggests motor and social/communication skills are coupled at a young age and are predictively associated with one another. Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) is a non-conventional psychotherapeutic intervention using dance and movement as a process to enhance physical and psychological conditions. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of DMT for children with ASD through the perspective of the therapist. Fifteen therapists completed a questionnaire containing a collection of questions concerning basic demographic information and general outcomes following therapy. Four participants further engaged in one-on-one semi-structured interviews to elaborate on their perceived outcomes. The results of this study show DMT has the potential to ameliorate physical, social, and emotional domains among children with ASD. More specifically, mood management, overall wellbeing, socialization and communication were recognized as the most improved outcomes following therapy. Although not the main objective of practice, motor challenges were also seen to improve with DMT participation. This study highlights the benefits of DMT for children with ASD and can assist in providing diagnosed individuals with an alternative intervention approach.

Caregiver Resilience and Dance/Movement Therapy: A Theoretical Review and Conceptual Model.

With the population aging, more people are living with neurodegenerative conditions, leading to an influx of informal family caregivers, who often experience negative health outcomes. Few caregiver interventions have successfully adopted a holistic, strengths-based approach to fostering resilience. This article examines existing literature on caregiver resilience factors, which include self-efficacy, flexibility, cultivating positive emotions, and drawing on spiritual and social supports. Despite how dance/movement therapy (DMT) has been shown to foster psychological and physiological benefits, it remains underexplored for caregivers. Therapeutic mechanisms of DMT are expounded for their innate correspondence to resilience factors, and a new comprehensive model of DMT for caregiver resilience is presented, with implications for future intervention design and measurement.

Developing awareness of self and surrounding through SAMYA module of Dance and movement Therapy (DMT) for children with Autism Spectrum disorder (ASD)

ABSTRACT Using Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) as an early intervention tool for a group of 20 children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) was investigated through this case report. The specific module of DMT as practiced by SAMYA Module, Kolkata, has been observed and reflected upon to determine the efficacy of the module in creating awareness regarding space. Observational data through an internship programme was used as a primary source for the qualitative reporting. Ethnographic tools like focus interviews, in-depth interviews, and documentation of the sessions were used for the devising and assessing the intervention. Structured questionnaires were used for quantitative analysis. Random walk as a part of DMT process was hypothesized as a significant activity which induces social awareness and also aids in developing appropriate interpersonal relationship. The study further projects how structured DMT sessions of SAMYA proved to be beneficial for the pre-determined objectives.

Effects of dance therapy on cognitive and mental health in adults aged 55 years and older with mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundIndividuals with mild cognitive impairment are at high risk of developing dementia. Dance therapy has promising applications in delaying cognitive decline. However, the effectiveness of dance therapy for older adults with mild cognitive impairment is unclear. The objective of this review was to evaluate the effectiveness of dance therapy on global cognitive function, specific cognitive subdomains, quality of life, and mental health in older adults with mild cognitive impairment to enrich health management strategies for dementia.MethodsElectronic databases and grey literature were searched from inception up to September 23, 2023. The language was limited to English and Chinese. Relevant studies were screened and assessed for risk of bias. A meta-analysis and subgroup analyses stratified by measurement instrument, dance type, intervention duration, and frequency were conducted using the STATA 16.0 software. This review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines.ResultsTen studies involving 984 participants aged 55 years and over who met the eligibility criteria were included. Dance therapy significantly improved global cognitive function, memory, executive function, attention, language, and mental health (i.e., depression and neuropsychiatric symptoms). However, the effects of dance therapy on processing speed, visuospatial ability, and quality of life in older adults with mild cognitive impairment remain inconclusive. Moreover, dance interventions of longer duration (> 3 months) improved global cognition more than shorter interventions.ConclusionThis review reported that dance therapy was effective in improving global cognitive function, memory, executive function, attention, language, and mental health (i.e., depression and neuropsychiatric symptoms). Hence, it may be an effective non-pharmacological complementary treatment for older adults with mild cognitive impairment.

Explore the development of dance education and the application of art dance therapy in medical field

This thesis aims to explore the development of dance education and the application of art dance therapy in the medical field. As a comprehensive form of art education, dance education not only helps to cultivate students aesthetic ability and artistic accomplishment, but also promotes physical and mental health and personal development. This article first reviews the history and development of dance education, and introduces the status and role of dance education in the education system, as well as the reflection on the current education system. Then, the thesis discusses the application of art dance therapy in the medical field. Art dance therapy is a comprehensive treatment method that combines dance and psychotherapy, and promotes the individuals psychological and physical recovery through dance and physical movement. Through in-depth research on the development of dance education and the application of art dance therapy, this thesis aims to provide theoretical and practical support for promoting the development of dance education in the medical field.

Experiencing principles of dance movement therapy practice within transdisciplinary environmental research in South Africa

This research study is an initial exploration of ways in which principles of dance movement therapy practice can be used in South Africa. Culturally-relevant principles in dance movement therapy practice were identified in an earlier phase of the study and informed a short-term group intervention within a transdisciplinary research team that dealt with water resources management. The research question for this phase of the study focused on the experiences of members of this group: How did researchers from a water resources management transdisciplinary environmental research group program in South Africa experience their participation in a group that adopted selected, culturally-sensitive dance movement therapy principles and practices? Hermeneutic phenomenology provided the methodological framing. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis influenced the identification of themes. We conclude that principles of dance movement therapy have relevance in multiple and diverse ways within environmental transdisciplinary teams, beyond typical therapy contexts.