Effects of dance therapy after gastric bypass on quality of life, self-esteem and self-assessment of body size

Abstract

Introduction: In order to motivate patients who have undergone bariatric surgery to take care of themselves and reconstruct their self-image, it proves essential to help them to focus on the body-subject (perceptual and affective sensory feelings). Aim: The aim of this study is to analyze the impact of dance therapy on the patient’s experience of the body, self-esteem, and body esteem, as well as on quality of life and self-assessment of body size after gastric bypass and weight stabilization. Methods: Eleven patients participated in a dance therapy program for 90 minutes per week over 18 weeks. The effects on self-esteem, quality of life, body esteem and body image were measured using self-questionnaires. Results: The results after dance therapy showed an improvement in quality of life p < 0.000. Body esteem and self-esteem improved significantly (p < 0.000). However, a divergence remains, or may even be larger, between actual BMI and self-assessment of body size after gastric bypass, even in patients who are no longer obese after the bariatric surgery. Conclusion: After 18 weeks of dance therapy, patients who attended a patient education preparation course and underwent gastric bypass develop a perception of their experienced body that enables them to significantly improve their quality of life, self-esteem, and body esteem.