Search Results (28)

Background and Objectives: Stroke units rely on interdisciplinary teams. Professionals with complementary alternative practices may join the team since such approaches are increasingly supporting the stroke recovery process. The aim of this study was to develop a better understanding of how a dance and somatic-informed movement intervention could be utilized in an inpatient setting as an adjunct to post-stroke therapy. We sought to identify (1) what knowledge we could draw on to develop the content and pedagogy for the intervention, (2) what helped/hindered the intervention aimed at functional recovery, as perceived by the practitioner-researchers, and (3) the relationships experienced with the various stakeholders. Materials and Methods: This exploratory qualitative study used the enhanced critical incident technique to collect retrospective self-report data from two practitioner-researchers engaged in delivering the intervention over two months. The data underwent thematic analysis. Patients (n = 6) in a stroke unit were selected within ≤72 h of hospital admission. The intervention was conducted four to six times a week until the vascular neurologist (co-researcher) authorized their transfer to a rehabilitation hospital. Results: The intervention evolved from crafting content and pedagogy at the intersection of different areas of knowledge (dance, somatics, neuroscience, and stroke). It was based on active, assisted, and passive movements. Verbal, tactile, visual, and imaginary inputs used to enhance body awareness were perceived as potentially helping patients recover some range of motion, quality of movements, and voluntary movement control, and fostering calmness and motivation. The intervention was well received by stakeholders. Conclusions: Dance and somatic-informed movement can be a complementary therapy in stroke units, although it requires a delicate juggling of time allocation within the interdisciplinary team. Further studies should be conducted with a larger number of patients and different practitioners. Collaboration between qualitative and quantitative researchers is needed to make a robust case for such interventions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Understanding movement development in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is critical for creating effective intervention strategies. This study aims to explore parental perspectives on the movement development of children with ASD, focusing on identifying common challenges and successful strategies. The objective is to analyze the experiences of parents to highlight the most effective approaches to support motor, communication, and social skills development in these children. Methods: Using a qualitative approach, we conducted in-depth interviews with parents of children with ASD. The data were analyzed using open and selective coding to identify key themes related to movement development challenges and strategies. The analysis included cross-referencing with the existing literature to support parental insights. Results: This study identified several key themes, including communication barriers, social interaction difficulties, and the importance of personalized movement programs. Parents reported significant challenges in understanding and addressing their children’s movement needs, particularly in group settings. However, activities such as water programs, music and dance, and animal-assisted therapies were found to be highly engaging. Motivation was a critical factor, with rewards and active parental involvement enhancing participation. Conclusions: This study highlights the crucial role of a supportive environment, including professional guidance and family support, in the success of movement development programs. Full article

Art therapy is employed in numerous ways in rehabilitation. This study focuses on an art and movement therapy project carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic. Acting and dancing methods were adapted to produce a short musical film series for ten children from disadvantaged social backgrounds displaying nonorganic behavioural disorders. The aim was to acquire novel ways of expression on the part of the participants to release painful emotions in a safe setting using the method of catharsis through acting and dancing, triggering relaxation as a physiological response and improving their attitude. This study retrospectively analyses the changes in the children’s behaviour and their active participation in the project through quantitative and qualitative research. The children improved their attention and self-esteem, their behaviour became less aggressive and impulsive, and half showed increased empathy. The active participation rate during the project was 82%. Full article

Background: 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. Methods: 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. Results: 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. Conclusion: 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. Full article

Children with cancer and their caregivers face physical and psychosocial challenges during and after treatment. Dance/movement therapy (DMT) has been used to improve well-being, promote healthy coping, and mitigate the impact of illness, but limited knowledge exists regarding DMT utilization, delivery, and outcomes in pediatric oncology. This retrospective study aimed to identify reasons for referral to DMT, DMT visit characteristics, key DMT techniques and processes, and clinician-reported outcomes. We examined the electronic medical records of 100 randomly selected pediatric patients (resulting in 1160 visits) who received DMT services between 2011 and 2021. Sociodemographic, clinical, and visit characteristics, referral reasons, and clinician-reported outcomes were reported as frequency and proportions. Qualitative thematic analysis was used to identify key DMT techniques and processes. Among 100 patients (63% female, aged 0–27 years), 77.9% were referred for psychological distress and 19.6% for pain. Two distinct DMT approaches were used during visits: a traditional DMT approach (77%) and a multisensory DMT approach (23%). The most common visit length was 15–25 min (41.6%), followed by sessions of 30–45 min (22.5%) and ≤10 min (18.1%). A total of 61.9% of DMT visits were inpatient and 38.1% outpatient. Of all visits, 8.8% were new and 91.2% were follow-ups. Caregivers were engaged in treatment in 43.7% of visits, and 5.5% of visits focused entirely on the work with the caregiver. DMT intervention focused on self-expression, emotional self-regulation, coping strategies, socialization, and caregiver–child interaction. Clinician-reported outcomes included enhanced coping with hospital experience (58%), improved pain management (27%), improved self-regulation (21%), and increased physical activation (13.2%). The results suggest DMT as a supportive intervention for psychological distress and pain management in pediatric oncology patients and provide insights into DMT practices and outcomes to guide intervention development and future research. Full article

This pilot study presents a novel fall prevention intervention that integrates physical therapy exercise (PTE) and dance movement therapy (DMT) to address both physical and emotional fall risk factors, as well as factors influencing adherence to treatment. The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of the intervention in a sample of eight older women (median = 86 [81.25–90.75] years) from a day center for senior citizens. The intervention, based on the Otago Exercise Program and DMT techniques, aimed to address the emotional experience during physical exercise. Participants were randomly assigned to either a PTE+DMT intervention group (n = 5) or a PTE control group (n = 3). A pre–post intervention battery of physical and emotional fall risk assessments, therapist–patient bond, and home exercise adherence was conducted. Non-parametric tests results showed significant improvement in the PTE+DMT group in measures of balance and fear of falling compared to the PTE group. However, no other significant differences were found between the groups in terms of falls-related psychological concerns, self-perceived health status, therapist–patient bond, and home exercise adherence. These findings demonstrate the feasibility and potential benefits of an intervention that integrates both physical and emotional aspects to reduce fall risk in older adults, and provide a basis for further studies and modifications in the research protocol. Full article

Changes in the composition of the body mass of functionally limited older patients may contribute to a decrease in functional fitness and the development of chronic diseases. This research aimed to assess the differences in anthropometric parameters and physical fitness of older patients, over the age of 65, in a 12-week clinical intervention study. Method: The study participants were nursing home inhabitants aged 65–85 who were functionally limited. Persons meeting the inclusion criteria were assigned to one of the three groups: Group 1–basic exercises/BE group (n = 56); Group 2—physical exercises with elements of dancing/PED group (n = 57); Group 3—control group/CO group (n = 56) routine care. The data were collected at the beginning of the study and at the 12-week mark. The outcome was observed for hand grip strength (HGS), arm curl test (ACT), Barthel Index (BI), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), triceps skin fold (TSF), waist-to-hip-ratio (WHR), and arm muscle area (AMA). Results: The study included 98 women and 71 men. The average age of the participants was 74.40 years. The analysis of the effects of the 12-week exercise program showed the greatest changes in HGS, ACT, and BI in the exercise groups, especially in the PED group compared to the BE group. Statistically significant differences in the examined parameters of the PED vs. BE vs. CO groups were demonstrated in favour of the exercising groups. In conclusion, a 12-week program of group physical exercises, both PED and BE, improves physical fitness indicators and anthropometric indicators. Full article

Cognitive impairment in older adults is associated with poor gait performance, physical decline, falls and poor quality of life. This paper analyzes the feasibility and efficacy of tango-based intervention in older people living in nursing homes with and without cognitive impairment. A multicenter study, with pre- and post-test, was carried out. Intervention attendance, well-being, physical abilities (short physical performance battery), walking performance, functional capacities (Katz Index) and quality of life (quality of life in Alzheimer’s disease) were assessed. Fifty-four participants (84.9 ± 6.7 years, mini mental state examination 14.5 ± 7.4) completed the protocol. Intervention attendance was 92%, and the mean subjective well-being after each session was 4.5 ± 0.5 (on a five-point scale). A statistically significant improvement was found in the quality of life (p = 0.030). Non-statistically significant changes were found in walking performance (p = 0.159), physical abilities (p = 0.876) and in functional capacities (p = 0.253). This study shows feasibility and suggests evidence for the effects of tango therapy on well-being and quality of life. Further studies are necessary to contrast these findings and to support the role of tango interventions as a holistic approach to prevent functional decline in older people with cognitive impairment. Full article

During the COVID-19 pandemic, most universities closed or reduced clinical placements (CPs), limiting nursing students’ opportunities to practice communication and interpersonal skills before graduating. When applied in nursing curriculums, Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) enhances students’ understanding of the theoretical concepts of communication and interpersonal skills, representing a valuable educational tool when CPs are reduced, as during the COVID-19 pandemic. This descriptive phenomenological study aims to describe the contribution of DMT in promoting third-year nursing students’ relational skills during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thirty-four nursing students who attended a DMT workshop completed a reflective journal. Data were analysed using content analysis. Three themes emerged: struggling to care for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, lived experience of DMT, and professional identity development. The first theme illustrates the connection participants made between their experiences during the DMT workshop and the caregiving challenges imposed by the pandemic; the second theme describes how the workshop fostered emotional and physical connections among its participants; the third theme focuses on the awareness participants acquired regarding their professional role during the workshop. When CPs opportunities are limited, DMT workshops can represent an educational tool to promote interpersonal and communication skills among nursing students, facilitating their transition into the profession. Full article

Studies have underscored the complexity of psychotherapy for Ultra-Orthodox Jews, and cross-cultural therapy in particular, which evokes fear of disruption of basic values. Parents’ sense of responsibility for their child’s religious education exacerbates these problems in child therapy. However, there is scant research on child therapy for the Ultra-Orthodox, especially in the field of arts therapies. The present study examined the perceptions of 17 Ultra-Orthodox parents whose children were receiving arts therapies (including art therapy, dance/movement therapy, music therapy, psychodrama and bibliotherapy). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the parents and analyzed based on the principles of Consensual Qualitative Research. The study covered five domains: (1) The parents’ experiences in therapy; (2) The parents’ perceptions of the child’s experiences in therapy; (3) Implications of environmental-social factors on the parents’ perceptions and experiences of therapy; (4) Effects of intercultural aspects on therapy; (5) Perceptions of the use of the arts in therapy. The findings show that the experiences of ultra-Orthodox parents in the arts therapies of their children is complex due to the influence of the socio-cultural context, which involves dealing with stigma and tensions in their relationship with the education system. This context also shapes their perceptions of therapy, which can be characterized as purpose-oriented. The findings also highlight the parents’ challenges in coping with the intercultural therapeutic relationship, and emphasizes the parents’ preference for a therapist from a similar religious/cultural background and for cultural supervision of therapy. However, the results also suggest that there are benefits inherent to intercultural therapy in general and arts therapies in particular, including a sense of security, openness and acceptance of the parents and children. Full article

(1) Background: There is limited evidence on the impact of arts therapies as a tool for the prevention of mental health difficulties in childhood. This pilot randomised controlled study aimed to investigate the impact of arts therapies on children’s mental health and well-being; the qualitative and arts-based evidence is presented in this article. (2) Methods: Sixty-two children (aged 7–10) with mild emotional and behavioral difficulties were recruited across four primary schools and were randomly assigned to either art therapy, music therapy, dance movement therapy, or dramatherapy. All children were interviewed individually after their participation in arts therapies. (3) Results: Children verbally and artistically expressed that they experienced positive changes in their mental health and well-being, such as improved self-expression, safety, empowerment, hope, and optimism for the future. The arts were particularly important for expressing complex emotions and feelings that cannot be easily verbalised. Recommendations are provided to improve the quality of group arts therapies in future interventions, such as through smaller groups, longer sessions, and strategies to protect the therapeutic environment. (4) Conclusions: This study embraced all arts therapies as one research domain and set children’s verbal and non-verbal responses at the heart of outcome evaluation. This article highlights the importance of incorporating qualitative and arts-based methods to capture changes in children’s mental health well-being in future experimental studies. Full article

The global COVID-19 outbreak has forced psychotherapists to find creative ways to continue treating their clients from afar. Dance movement therapy emphasizes the body–mind connection and offers a unique mode of emotional intervention for supporting mental processes. The present study is the first to examine the distinctive qualities of group dance movement therapy in the context of remote emotional intervention with young children. Fourteen preschool children participated in six DMT meetings. The data generated three themes: 1. play as a platform for transforming technical complexity into an expression of the inner world; 2. accessories and props as means of motivation for movement and imaginative play; 3. playfulness-inhibiting conditions in settings of remote therapy. The discussion examines the significance of bodily expressions in remote therapy for understanding the needs of children in times of crisis and for getting acquainted with feelings and sensations which do not lend themselves easily to verbal expression. Full article

The present study is a Dance Movement Psychotherapy (DMP) pilot intervention designed to address the psychological challenges faced by Greek breast cancer patients, after surgery and around radiotherapy treatment. It was designed as a 12 weeks’ project, involving patients of diverse age and educational level, mostly living in rural areas. The personality and psychopathology inventory Symptoms’ Check List-90 (SCL-90), the therapist’s records and video self-observation were used in a mixed method approach. Thirteen subjects initiated the study, but they were gradually reduced and only four completed it. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS-25 addressing this fact. Positive results of qualitative interpretation of the therapist’s data and SCL-90, as well as changes in movement patterns and self-perception evaluated via video self-observation, showed that the intervention was beneficial for the patients who completed it. However, the fact that not all the participants were able to finish the program, implies that although DMT intervention at an early stage can help some patients deal with strong emotions, careful evaluation of eligible individuals should precede. Besides the patients’ medical condition, demographic and personality characteristics should be considered in the design of future similar studies. Full article

The continuous changes in our society require adapted training that encompasses both technical and competency knowledge. There is a high level of demand, especially in areas such as engineering, which can affect the mental health of students, producing high levels of stress and psychological distress, hindering self-efficacy and academic performance. Embodied learning working on self-awareness, stress reduction and self-knowledge can help to generate healthier environments. Creative therapies can be a tool to promote the prevention of health problems in this group of the population. In particular, Dance Movement Therapy has demonstrated its effectiveness in improving health in clinical and non-clinical settings. In this work, a body awareness program based on Dance Movement Therapy is developed and implemented in engineering students. Through a mixed pre-post methodology, its impact is evaluated and analyzed in an experimental group of engineering students. Psychometric tests, physiological variables and reflective diaries are used as data sources. The results show that the experimental group, compared with the control group, increased their levels of body awareness and connectedness, well-being and life satisfaction and reduced their stress levels. The results were supported by cortisol measures. Likewise, the students acknowledged having increased their levels of self-awareness and self-knowledge and considered the inclusion of these bodily approaches in higher education to be necessary. Full article

Dance therapy can improve motor skills, balance, posture, and gait in people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and healthy older adults (OA). It is not clear how specific movement patterns during dance promote these benefits. The purpose of this cohort study was to identify differences and complexity in dance movement patterns among different dance styles for PD and OA participants in community dance programs using approximate entropy (ApEn) analysis. The hypothesis was that PD participants will show greater ApEn during dance than OA participants and that the unique dance style of tango with more pronounced foot technique and sharp direction changes will show greater ApEn than smoother dance types such as foxtrot and waltz characterized by gradual changes in direction and gliding movement with rise and fall. Individuals participated in one-hour community dance classes. Movement data were captured using porTable 3D motion capture sensors attached to the arms, torso and legs. Classes were also video recorded to assist in analyzing the dance steps. Movement patterns were captured and ApEn was calculated to quantify the complexity of movements. Participants with PD had greater ApEn in right knee flexion during dance movements than left knee flexion (p = 0.02), greater ApEn of right than left hip flexion (p = 0.05), and greater left hip rotation than right (p = 0.03). There was no significant difference in ApEn of body movements (p > 0.4) or mean body movements (p > 0.3) at any body-segment in OA. ApEn analysis is valuable for quantifying the degree of control and predictability of dance movements and could be used as another tool to assess the movement control of dancers and aid in the development of dance therapies. Full article