Therapeutic impact of dance therapy on adult individuals with psychological trauma: a systematic review

Abstract

AbstractContextDance therapy is a therapeutic tool adapted for people that struggle with classical language-based therapeutic devices (e.g., people facing migration). As dance therapy significantly mobilizes mental, physiological, and somatic dimensions affected by psychological trauma, its therapeutic effect on psychological trauma needs to be evaluated.ObjectivesTo identify the potential therapeutic effects of dance therapy in adults with psychological trauma (trauma-focused and non-trauma-focused impact) as well as the barriers and facilitators associated with its therapeutic employment.MethodArticles published between 2000 and 2022 have been selected with the help of five relevant keyword combinations applied on seven databases. Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts against inclusion and exclusion criteria. Bias evaluation has been conducted with the help of the NIH and JBI. A report of the results has been organized with the help of thematic analysis.ResultsOf the thirteen articles included, only one case study directly reports a diminution of pathognomic symptoms of trauma. Other studies present improvements in key dimensions targeted by non-trauma-focused treatment: bodily sensations and perceptions, psychological processes, and interpersonal skills. These improvements depend on the skill set of the therapists and the stability of the intervention.ConclusionDance therapy is an effective non-trauma-focused treatment, as it mobilizes the mandatory dimensions for the management of psychological trauma. It is specially adapted to women survivors of violence, and people facing migration. Researchers and professionals should investigate dance therapy as a trauma-focused treatment.HighlightsWhile the non-trauma-focused effects of dance therapy have been particularly evaluated, there is a lack of evidence about studies evaluating the effect of dance therapy as a trauma-focused intervention.Dance therapy improves key dimensions targeted by non-trauma-focused intervention therapies: sensory-motor perceptions, motor skills, identification, expression, and externalization of emotions, reflexivity, creativity, interpersonal skills, and verbal expression.The effectiveness of dance therapy interventions is correlated with the therapist’s skill set, the intervention’s stability, and the patient’s flow state.