Effects of dance movement therapy on improving mental health in cancer patients

Abstract

PURPOSE: Dance movement therapy (DMT) is a psychotherapy building on the belief that body movement reflects and affects psychological states. It based on the assumptions of the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit; and also the total integration of the three is crucial to the holistic health of a person. The present project aims to study the effect of Dance Movement Therapy on improving metal health, in particular, reducing mental distress, body image distress, and stagnation in cancer patients. METHODS: The present study adopted a pre- post- experimental design. 42 cancer patients were recruited from a community cancer support center. A 6-week Dance Movement Therapy program was offered to the participants. They were assessed before and after the program. Outcome measures included General Health Questionnaires12 (GHQ12), Body Image Distress Scale (BDIS), and Stagnation Scale. RESULTS: Significant decrease in mental distress was observed after the program (t ? 3:64; p5.01). Body Image distress was lowered (t ? 2:83; p5.01) and reduction in over-attachment subscale of the Stagnation Scale was also observed (t ? 2:84; p5.01). Participants’ evaluations revealed that the program helped them a lot in various aspects. They felt more relaxed and released. Some of them could get in touch with their inner worlds, and felt the connections between mind, body, and spirit. CONCLUSION: A brief dance movement therapy program helps reduce mental distress and body image distress in cancer patients. It also helps de-stagnate participants so as to enhance the overall health condition. Through working on the body, the mind and spirit can be affected as well. RESEARCH IMPLICATIONS: Larger sample, a comparison group, and a longer evaluation period in future study may help to support the credibility of DMT program for improving holistic health in cancer patients. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Stagnation is a newly developed mental health construct of which the clinical presentations are resemble to depression. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qi stagnation may relate to the development of various diseases, e.g. cancer. DMT, which is specifically useful for flowing the energy (Qi) through body movement, may be more effective in reducing stagnation, and thus improving mental health and physical health in cancer patients.