Dance/Movement Therapy in Oncological Rehabilitation

作者：Mannheim Elana G; Helmes Almut; Weis Joachim^*

来源：Forschende Komplementarmedizin, 2013, 20(1): 33-41.

DOI：10.1159/000346617

• Dance/movement therapy
• Cancer
• Psychological disstress
• Oncological rehabilitation
• Health-related quality of life

Background: Dance/movement therapy may be defined as a psychosocial and body-oriented art therapy, which uses dance for the expression of emotional and cognitive issues. Dance/movement therapy is an important intervention for cancer patients to enhance coping strategies. There are only few studies investigating dance therapy with cancer patients. Methods: The present study investigates effects of dance/movement therapy (n = 115) in the setting of inpatient rehabilitation based on a pre-post design with a control group as well as a follow-up 3 months later. Standardized questionnaires measuring quality of life, anxiety and depression, and self-concept (EORTC QLQ-C30, HADS, FSKN) were used. In addition, at the end of the inpatient rehabilitation program subjective expectations of the dance/movement therapy and the patients%26apos; subjective evaluation of the benefits of the intervention were measured by a new developed questionnaire. Results: As process factors of dance/movement therapy, expression of emotions, enhancement of self-esteem, development of the personality, vitality, getting inner balance, and getting in touch with the body have been identified. In terms of quality of life and psychological well-being, the results showed significant improvements with medium to large effect sizes. Conclusions: Even though those effects may not be attributed to the intervention alone, the analysis of the data and the patients%26apos; subjective statements help to reveal therapeutic factors and process characteristics of dance/movement therapy within inpatient rehabilitation.

• 出版日期2013