Re-inhabiting one's body: A pilot study on the effects of dance movement therapy on body image and alexithymia in eating disorders

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

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.

Short-term effects of a multidisciplinary inpatient intensive rehabilitation treatment on body image in anorexia nervosa

BACKGROUND

Positive changes in weight gain and eating pathology were reported after inpatient treatments for anorexia nervosa (AN). However, changes in the physical body do not always mirror changes in the imagined body. Here, the effect of a treatment focused on body image (BI) was described.

METHODS

This retrospective observational study had a quasi-experimental pre-post design without the control group. During the treatment, participants (N = 72) undertake a variety of activities focused on BI. The main outcome was tested through the Body Uneasiness Test.

RESULTS

At the end of the treatment, BI uneasiness decreased with a significant increase in weight gain.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the positive short-term effect of a multidisciplinary inpatient intensive rehabilitation treatment on BI in AN. We encourage to design of psychological treatments focusing on the cognitive and emotional bodily representation (i.e. the body in the mind) to increase physical well-being.

Effects of pole dance on mental wellbeing and the sexual self-concept-a pilot randomized-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Prior studies on beneficial effects of dance have primarily focused on traditional and expressionistic dance forms, neglecting newer dance styles like pole dance, which employ distinct techniques. The present pilot randomized controlled trial examined psychological and psychosexual effects of pole dancing.

METHODS

Fifty women were randomized to an eight-weeks pole dancing program or waitlist. The primary outcome was global mental wellbeing. Secondary outcomes included several dimensions of the sexual self-concept, as well as body appreciation and global self-esteem.

RESULTS

Compared to waitlist, the pole dance group showed an increase in mental wellbeing and improvements in sexual self-efficacy, sexual anxiety, sexual self-esteem, and body appreciation.

CONCLUSIONS

Pole dancing may have broad psychological effects on both overall mental wellbeing and important domains of the sexual self-concept.

INFLUENCES OF ABDOMINAL CORE STRENGTH TRAINING ON SPORT DANCING

ABSTRACT Introduction: The essential characteristics of the unique fitness of sport dancing are composed of the athletes' skill, quality, and physical characteristics. All are directly affected by proper abdominal core strength training. Kick strength is an important variable for controlled balance in lower limb elevation. It is produced by the combined action of the pelvic girdle and thigh muscle groups, beginning at the abdominal core. Objective: This paper explores the effect of abdominal core strength training on the quality of kicking movement in dance sports work. Methods: Forty-six college students majoring in sport dance were randomly selected as volunteers for the research. Randomly divided into control and experimental group, they participated in the experiment for four weeks. The experimental group added a specific strength exercise for the abdominal core at each class, while the control group followed only with the routine exercises. Several indicators of the athletes were tested before and after the end of the experiment. The collected variables went through the statistical methodology and data analysis. Results: The experimental group members showed significantly higher kicks than those of the control group (P<0.05). The balance and stability scores in the experimental group were also significantly higher (P<0.05). Conclusion: Abdominal core strength training significantly affects the quality of lower limb lifting movements in sports dance practitioners and significantly affects the overall performance improvement of athletes. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

Inpatient Rehabilitation during Intensive Refeeding in Severe Anorexia Nervosa

Severe forms of anorexia nervosa are responsible for weight loss and life-threatening consequences. Refeeding represents a real psychiatric and somatic challenge. Physical activities are usually not recommended during intensive refeeding in order to avoid energy expenditure. This study assessed the interest in an early return to controlled physical activities, during a hospitalization in a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR) department, including continuous nasogastric refeeding and psychiatric care. A total of 37 subjects aged 32 ± 11 years old performed inpatient physical activities during nasogastric refeeding initiated after intensive care. The physical activity program was adapted according to the hyperactivity of the patients. Evaluation parameters were weight, body mass index (BMI), body composition (fat, lean, and bone masses), and function (strength, balance, walking, ventilation). Patient satisfaction, re-hospitalizations, and physical activities continuation were assessed at 12 months of follow-up. Weight, BMI, and body fat increased significantly (+2.7 ± 1.7 kg; +1.0 ± 0.6 kg/m²; +1.7 ± 2.5 kg, respectively). Muscle strength increased even if the lean mass did not. Walking distance, balance, and respiratory function were significantly improved. Weight and fat mass gains did not differ according to the presence or absence of hyperactivity. At 12 months, 46% of the patients continued to be physically active, but 21% of the patients had been re-hospitalized. The early return to controlled physical activities in PMR hospitalization does not compromise the efficiency of intensive refeeding in severe anorexia nervosa patients.

Effect of Dance Movement Therapy on Cancer-Related Fatigue in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy: A Pre-post Intervention Study

Introduction

Dance movement therapy (DMT) is a movement-based psychosocial intervention that incorporates the therapeutic components of dance movements and group psychotherapy. DMT, also known as creative movement therapy (CMT) is a psychotherapy used as a complementary therapy in cancer care. It helps in enhancing mood, emotions, self-expression and helps to rebuild self-confidence. Besides, it allows the patients to recognise their own strengths and weaknesses as well as helps to improve physical capabilities.

Methods

By simple random sampling method, 30 breast cancer patients were recruited at Pravara Rural Hospital, Loni, Maharashtra, India. The participants were in the age range of 30-60 years based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Pre-intervention scores of cancer-related fatigue (CRF) were taken using the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) scale and intervention was given for 45 minutes each day for 5 days a week, over a span of 2 weeks. Thereafter, post-intervention assessment was done and the scores were noted. Pre-intervention and post-intervention scores were compared using paired t-test.

Results

The mean and standard deviation (SD) of pre- and post-BFI scores derived by using paired t-test was 73.76 (8.6) and 69.33 (9.8), respectively, with a p-value of < 0.001, which is highly significant.

Conclusion

The results of the present study revealed that DMT seems to be effective in reducing some amount of CRF in breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. Besides, it turned out to be an engaging, entertaining and cost-effective approach. The investigation showed that DMT appears to be beneficial in reducing the side effects of radiation therapy such as pain, stress, anxiety and fear, giving a psychotherapeutic relief but did not completely remove the persistent fatigue experienced by the breast cancer patients. Thus, further investigation with long-term follow-up is recommended.

Exercise therapy in the treatment of anorexia nervosa: Its effects depending on the type of physical exercise-A systematic review

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Clinical research focusing on the effectiveness of exercise therapy (ET) in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) shows increasing interest in the last decade. The aim of this systematic review was to provide an overview of quantitative studies that have examined the impact of ET in AN patients and to examine its specific effects on physical and mental health according to the type of physical exercise (PE) practiced.

METHODS

The review was carried out based on the PRISMA 2020. Electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Wiley were searched from inception to December 2021. Quantitative studies assessing the effects of ET interventions on AN patients were included and study quality was assessed using the PEDro scale.

RESULTS

A total of 27 studies were selected, including 13 randomized controlled trials. Regarding outcomes measured, results showed that aerobic and resistance exercise improved muscle strength, that mind-body PE decreased main symptoms of AN and mental health, and that combined PE reduced dysfunctional exercise and improved weight gain.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that ET intervention can induce benefits and has no deleterious effects on patients. In addition, specific effects on anorexia symptoms and physical and mental health have been observed according to the type of PE. However, this review reported several methodological weaknesses, including a lack of control group or randomization and statistical misconduct. Finally, ET intervention parameters were heterogeneous, and ET intervention generally lacked details, making reproducibility and comparability difficult. All these limitations underscore the need for a more rigorous methodology for further research.

Arts Therapies Interventions and Their Outcomes in the Treatment of Eating Disorders: Scoping Review Protocol

Arts therapies (AsTs) are considered a valuable intervention for people with eating disorders, however the range of research studies and the comparison between the types of arts therapies are unknown. The goal of the future scoping review is to explore the therapeutic outcomes addressed by arts therapists in research studies on people with eating disorders and compare the different types of arts-based interventions. This scoping review will be conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. Included will be research studies and sources oriented towards people with eating disorders of all ages and AsTs of any type (art therapy, drama therapy, music therapy, dance/movement therapy, and expressive therapies). There is no language/publication period limitation. The following databases will be searched: CINAHL Plus, EMBASE, MEDLINE (OvidSP), ProQuest Central, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Sources of unpublished studies and grey literature will include Google Scholar, MedNar, clinical trials, and current controlled trials. Titles/abstracts and full texts of studies will be assessed against the inclusion criteria, and the data extracted by two independent reviewers. Based on the results, we will compare the types of AsTs according to the research designs, country/settings, intervention methods/materials, adverse effects reported, and therapeutic outcomes related to AsTs.