Journal article
Investigating the Effects of Group Dance Movement Therapy Sessions in Adults Living with Treatment Resistant Depression: A Mixed Method Case Series
The Arts in psychotherapy, v 93, 102270
Apr 2025
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
There are currently no studies that specifically explore the use of dance/movement therapy (DMT) for treatment resistant depression, despite the growing literature base on DMT and major depressive disorders. This paper reports the effects of group-DMT sessions for adults with treatment resistant depression in a convergent parallel, mixed-method case series. Participants (n=3) attended 12 weekly 45-minute group-DMT sessions. Quantitative outcomes were measured at four timepoints via the Perceived Stress Scale-10, Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness-2, and cortisol hormone levels measured through hair samples. Qualitative data was collected via focus groups and individual interviews. Data were mixed with a complementary intent and are presented in a joint-display table. Findings indicate an increased capacity for emotional regulation, increased confidence in navigating somatic cues, and a more positive association with one’s body after group-DMT sessions. Integrated data demonstrates a convergent relationship between the data sets. Key findings suggest that DMT (i) offered a change in participants’ negative somatic associations, (ii) expanded the participants’ capacity for regulation, and (iii) offered a body-based form of self-assessment and regulation. Considering the novelty and small sample size in this case series, generalisations cannot be made about the benefits of DMT in treatment resistant depression. Further research on this topic is warranted.
•Dance movement therapy (DMT) can be a form of assessing stress in adults with depression•DMT can expand self-regulation capacity through practising antecedent-focused strategies•DMT prompted a change in study participants’ negative somatic associations
Metrics
8 Record Views
Details
- Title
- Investigating the Effects of Group Dance Movement Therapy Sessions in Adults Living with Treatment Resistant Depression: A Mixed Method Case Series
- Creators
- Neha Christopher - University of MelbourneJeanette Tamplin - University of MelbourneElla Dumaresq - University of MelbourneSharon Goodill - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- The Arts in psychotherapy, v 93, 102270
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Number of pages
- 16
- Grant note
- Faculty Graduate Researcher Fund of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music, University of MelbourneUniversity of Melbourne
This study was funded by the Faculty Graduate Researcher Fund of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music, University of Melbourne. A Melbourne Research Scholarship from the University of Melbourne financially supported the first author during this study.
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Creative Arts Therapies; [Retired Faculty]
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001450190300001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105000118216
- Other Identifier
- 991022040179504721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Psychology, Clinical
- Rehabilitation