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Effects of a Short-Term Dance Movement Therapy Program on Symptoms and Stress in Patients With Breast Cancer
Rainbow T H Ho1, Ted C T Fong2, Irene K M Cheung2
1Centre on Behavioral Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR; Department of Social Work & Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR.
Context:
Integrated interventions with combined elements of body movement and psychotherapy on treatment-related symptoms in cancer patients are relatively scarce.
Objectives:
The aim of the present study is to investigate the effectiveness of dance movement therapy (DMT) on improving treatment-related symptoms in a randomized controlled trial.
Methods:
A total of 139 Chinese patients with breast cancer awaiting adjuvant radiotherapy were randomized to DMT or control group. The intervention included six 1.5-hour DMT sessions provided twice a week over the course of radiotherapy. Self-report measures on perceived stress, anxiety, depression, fatigue, pain, sleep disturbance, and quality of life were completed before and after the three-week program.
Results:
DMT showed significant effects on buffering the deterioration in perceived stress, pain severity, and pain interference (Cohen d = 0.34-0.36, P < 0.05). No significant intervention effects were found on anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and quality of life (Cohen d = 0.01-0.20, P > 0.05).
Conclusion:
The short-term DMT program can counter the anticipated worsening of stress and pain in women with breast cancer during radiotherapy.
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