Meta-analysis: Effects of dance movement therapy & dance on health-related psychological outcomes

Effects of Dance Movement Therapy and Dance on Health-Related Psychological Outcomes: A Meta-Analysis. 2014. Sabine Koch, Teresa Kunz, Sissy Lykou, & Robyn Cruz. The Arts in Psychotherapy Volume 41, Issue 1, February 2014, Pages 46-64. *Article does not have free open access.

 

Abstract: “In this meta-analysis, we evaluated the effectiveness of dance movement therapy1 (DMT) and the therapeutic use of dance for the treatment of health-related psychological problems. Research in the field of DMT is growing, and 17 years have passed since the last and only general meta-analysis on DMT (Ritter & Low, 1996) was conducted. This study examines the current state of knowledge regarding the effectiveness of DMT and dance from 23 primary trials (N = 1078) on the variables of quality of life, body image, well-being, and clinical outcomes, with sub-analysis of depression, anxiety, and interpersonal competence. Results suggest that DMT and dance are effective for increasing quality of life and decreasing clinical symptoms such as depression and anxiety. Positive effects were also found on the increase of subjective well-being, positive mood, affect, and body image. Effects for interpersonal competence were encouraging, but due to the heterogenity of the data remained inconclusive. Methodological shortcomings of many primary studies limit these encouraging results and, therefore, further investigations to strengthen and expand upon evidence-based research in DMT are necessary. Implications of the findings for health care, research, and practice are discussed.”

“1: This term includes the practice of dance movement psychotherapy (UK) and dance/movement therapy (USA).”

 

“Keywords: Dance movement therapy; Therapeutic use of dance; Meta-analysis; Review of evidence-based research; Randomized controlled trials; Integrative medicine.”

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Effects of dance-movement therapy: meta-analysis

Effects of Dance/Movement Therapy: A Meta-Analysis. Meredith Ritter, BA, Kathryn Graff Low, PhD. (1996). The Arts in Psychotherapy Volume 23, Issue 3, 1996, Pages 249–260. *There is not free public access.

“The present study addresses methodological problems that have affected the DMT [dance/movement therapy] literature and evaluates quantitative studies of DMT using meta-analytic techniques. […] The purpose of the present study was to calculate standardized effect sizes for case-control studies of dance/movement therapy and to produce summary statistics reflecting the average change associated with DMT compared to controls. The study also examined the effectiveness of DMT in different samples (e.g. children, psychiatric patients, elderly) and for varying diagnoses (anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, developmental disabilities) using meta-analysis.”

Dance movement therapy for depression

Dance movement therapy for depression (Protocol). Meekums B, Karkou V, Nelson EA. (2012). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2012, Issue 6. *There is not free open access to the review.

“The objectives are as follows:

To assess the effects of dance movement therapy (DMT) for depression compared with no treatment (waiting list) or to standard care in both child and adult populations
To compare DMT with other psychological interventions (e.g. psychodynamic psychotherapy or IPT, counselling or CBT)
To compare DMT with pharmacological interventions (e.g. anti-depressants, minor tranquillisers or mood stabilisers)
To compare DMT with other physical interventions (e.g. dance or exercise)
To compare different forms of DMT (e.g. Laban-based DMT, Chacian DMT or Authentic Movement)”

Dance movement therapy for dementia

Dance movement therapy for dementia (Protocol). (2014). Karkou V and Meekums B. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2014, Issue 3. *There is not free open access to the review.

“The objectives are as follows:

1. To assess the effects of DMT on behavioural, social, cognitive and emotional problems of people with dementia in comparison to no treatment (waiting list), standard care or any other treatment.
2. To compare different forms of DMT (e.g. Laban-based DMT, Chacian DMT or Authentic Movement).”