Body as subject, body as object: how treatment of the obese patient can be improved by dance therapy

Abstract

Objectives: To give obese patints the motivation to take care of themselves. To help them focus on self perception rather than on their figure and BMI. This study aimed to analyze the impact of dance therapy on the body as subject as experienced by the patient. Methodology: After randomization, 27 female patients undertook a dance therapy program for 16 weeks and were compared against a control group of 19 female patients. The effects on conscious walking, posture, self-esteem and quality of life were measured using questionnaires on self-perception of posture, walk, self-esteem and quality of life. Results: The results after dance therapy showed significant improvement in the body as subject (posture p < 0.02; conscious walking p < 0.001; quality of life p < 0.01; body esteem p < 0.003; and sense of self-worth p < 0.005). The results for the control group had not changed after 16 weeks. Conclusion: after 4 months of dance therapy, obese patients developed a perception of a “body as subject they experience”, which led them to significantly improve their self-esteem and quality of life. Practice implications: Dance therapy should be incorporated into therapeutic education programs to improve the perceptive dimension of our obese patients.