Dance therapy proves effective against depression

A fresh research by Finnish psychologist and dance therapist Päivi Pylvänäinen investigated the effects of dance therapy among a group of patients suffering in depression. For 6 years, her team was observing 62 men and women receiving psychiatric treatment and there was also a control group of 12 people with regular treatment and no dance therapy. Both groups were medicated during the course of the research. Pylvänäinen analysed two field in more detail: the change in the symptoms of depression and in the body image of the participants. 

 

In a 2013 study it was investigated and proved that the bodily sensations of people suffering in depression are often different from the ones living without depression: the former group often experiences heavy and downward directed sensations and they also report to have pain and pressure in the upper part of the chest and in the stomach. Interestingly enough, another larger group of them is not able to identify any kind of bodily sensation within.

 

A large proportion of depressed people regard their bodies as mere instruments and not as a living-sensing entity. The body is not transparent, it doesn’t communicate and many experience a kind of block or wall between themselves and the outside world.

 

In this vicious cycle it becomes even more difficult to connect to others. The situation is aggravated by the fact the people suffering in depression are more prone to avoidant or ambivalent attachment styles. Prior to the treatment, most participants claimed to have the following symptoms: fatigue, anxiety, emotional and physical pains, difficulties with human interactions, groups, their own bodies and internal world. Some experienced large even too large sensitivity towards impulses coming from outside.

 

Photo: CEO Magazyn

 

After the dance therapy sessions, these areas were measured again. The researchers found that the symptoms of depressions were clearly mitigated: less sleeping disorders, less frequent and less severe anxiety, bigger sense of security, more physical activities, trust, tolerance and openess were experienced in the group analyzed. Participants also stated to have experienced the positive effects of the support and encouragement by their group.

 

Physical tensions disappeared or got eased in many cases. It was also interesting to observe that many felt more motivated to share their experiences with others than at the beginning of the research. Regarding body image and sensations, there were also positive changes observed: satisfaction with the body grew by 30%. Quite logically, the higher these figures were, the milder the participants regarded the symptoms of their depression. Many subjects even experienced positive and soothing bodily sensations during the research period.

 

And what can be the explanation for the success of dance therapy among people with depression?

 

Since one of the major symptoms of depression is a kind of detachment from the body and bodily sensations, and dance therapy is aimed at the integration of psyche and mind, therapeutic work with the body is extremely suitable for treating depression.

 

In these groups sessions the focus is on connection: on the connection with our body, with others or even with the facilitator at the present moment.

 

The non-verbal communication between two particpants might lead to the experience of an unconscious and yet secure kind of attachment style. Security and interaction are deeply interrelated: they mutually foster and strenghten each other. Experiencing qualities of secure attachement entails more positive mood and in greater trust and security people are more willing to act and connect.

 

Source: Päivi Pylvänäinen – Dance Movement Therapy in the Treatment of Depression

The article was originally published on the website of Bodywork Association.