The Effects of Individualized Brief Medical Dance/Movement Therapy on Body Image in Women With Breast Cancer

Body Image is a significant component of self-esteem. In cancer, alteration in body image may affect self-esteem and general psychosocial health. Breast cancer, in particular can have a major effect on body image. Various studies have suggested that medical dance/movement therapy (MDMT) may improve a person's body image. In our study we examined the effectiveness of MDMT in reducing body image problems. Two groups of participants were formed through self-selection. The experimental group, 6 participants (mean age = 55 years), each received five private sessions of MDMT over a 2-week period. The control group, 8 participants, (mean age = 57 years), did not received treatment. Body image assessment were completed using the Body Image Scale (Hopwood et al., 2001), the Serlin Kinaesthetic Imagery Profile (Serlin, Unpublished manuscript, 1999), and the Body Image and Relationships Scale (Hormes et al., 2008), initially, at 2-weeks, and at 4-weeks. The MDMT sessions, lasting about 30 minutes each, consisted of a movement warm-up, a dyadic rhythmic component, and a cool down. The results of the three quantitative assessments were evaluated using descriptive statistics and Cohen's d analysis. The outcome revealed that the experimental group individually and collectively had reductions in body image problems following the five MDMT sessions, with additional reductions in body image problems 2-week's post-treatment. In addition, all participants were asked four reflective questions initially, by 2-weeks, and at 4-weeks. Women's narratives revealed that those who received MDMT discovered their bodies anew, planned behavior changes and/or implemented new behaviors to support gains in body image wellness. Whereas, women in the control group were not thinking about contemplating changes, and had no plans to implement new behaviors. Future research on MDMT should employ a larger sample, random assignment, matched controls, or clinical subgroups by breast cancer stage and type of treatment.