Single-Session Dance/Movement Therapy for Thought and Behavioral Dysfunction Associated With Schizophrenia: A Mixed...

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Expressive Arts Therapy

Background:

• Schizophrenia presents complex challenges for treatment.
• Exploring novel therapeutic interventions is crucial for symptom management.

Purpose of the Study:

• Assess the feasibility of a dance/movement therapy (DMT) protocol in an inpatient psychiatric setting.
• Evaluate preliminary treatment effects of DMT versus verbal treatment as usual (TAU) for schizophrenia symptoms.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods feasibility study involving 32 randomized participants.
• Intervention: 45-minute single-session DMT versus verbal TAU.
• Data collection: Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and qualitative interviews.

Main Results:

• DMT group showed statistically significant reductions in overall BPRS scores (ES=0.67), psychological discomfort (ES=0.64), negative symptoms (ES=0.67), and positive symptoms (ES=0.55).
• No significant difference in resistance was found quantitatively, though qualitative data showed divergence.
• Qualitative findings supported quantitative results, with DMT participants reporting feeling in control, less angry, and motivated.

Conclusions:

• A single-session DMT intervention is feasible for individuals with schizophrenia in inpatient settings.
• DMT demonstrates potential as an effective adjunctive therapy for reducing psychiatric symptoms.
• Further research into DMT for schizophrenia is warranted based on positive preliminary findings.