Running Head: International Research in Dance/Movement Therapy
International Dance/Movement Therapy Research: Theory, Methods, and Empirical Findings
Sabine C. Koch1 Iris Bräuninger2 Abstract This article provides an overview of the results from the 1st International Research Colloquium on Dance/Movement Therapy (D/MT), in Hannover, Germany, February 13th and 14th, 2004. Twenty-two researchers presented their projects at this international conference of the Berufsverband der Tanztherapeutinnen Deutschlands, e.V. (BTD). Most projects were either doctoral level research or research in clinical settings. Studies included theory, methods, and empirical findings in dance/movement therapy. Effectiveness studies specifically supported D/MT treatment for oncology patients (reduction of depression and anxiety; Mannheim & Weis, 2005), fibromyalgia patients (reduction of pain and increased energy; Bojner Horwitz, 2004), and persons suffering from stress and psychological strain (stress reduction and increased quality of life; Bräuninger, 2005). Most subjects were women, limiting generalizability. Keywords: Dance/movement therapy research, evidence-based studies, international conference. 1
Dr. Sabine C. Koch, M.A., DTR, BTD, Department of Psychology, University of Heidelberg, Hauptstr. 47-51, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany,
[email protected] 2 Dr. (des.) Iris Bräuninger, M.A., DTR, BTD Trainer, Psychiatric University Hospital, Lenggstr. 31, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland,
[email protected]
Research Projects Dance/Movement Therapy (D/MT) is advancing intenationally. This was demonstrated by presenters from all over the world at the 1st International Research Colloquium on D/MT, at Stefansstift in Hannover, Germany. Reserch projects were offered in in presentation, research poster, or workshop format.
Fig 1.: Stefansstift, Hannover Presentations Iris Bräuninger’s research, supported by a grant from the Marian Chace Foundation, introduced her doctoral study on dance/movement therapy’s impact on the quality of life and its use as a method of stress management. The results of her randomized and controlled study of 162 participants indicated that dance/movement therapy (D/MT)
(a) improved quality of life with several short-term and long-term effects and that D/MT was more effective than non-treatment in all dimensions, (b) reduced stress with several short- and long-term effects. Again D/MT was more effective than non-treatment, (c) improved stress management strategies, by reducing negative strategies, (d) is an effective treatment modality with short and long-term effects on psychological stress reduction. The study further suggests that specific D/MT interventions are suitable, whereas others are not, for improving quality of life, reducing stress, and minimizing psychopathological symptoms. Eva Bojner Horwitz examined the impact of dance/movement therapy on the stressrelated hormones of 36 female fibromyalgia (FMS) patients. Randomly selected, 20 received DMT; 16 functioned as controls. Subjects engaged in video-interpretation afer treatment, commenting on changes in self-perception and movement patterns. A follow-up study found increased levels of cortisol both in plasma and in saliva, which may indicate activation and/or revitalization of the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis in the treatment group. Video interpretation by the treatment group yielded significant differences in mobility, pain when moving, and life energy as compared to video-interpretation by the the control group. There was a discrepancy between lacks of significant changes in blood concentration of hormones and the significantly improved function reported by the patients’ interpretation of the videos after month 14. Bojner Horwitz suggests, that the body has its own language and is probably more alert in signalling changes over time, before changes are evident in inner biological hormonal systems after D/MT (Bojner Horwitz, 2004).
Sarah Rodriguez discussed the effect of dance/movement therapy on patients with fibromyalgia from a qualitative perspective. Her doctoral project shows how developing the expressive capacity of the person through the body and its nonverbal communication can help the person to become conscious of emotions or maladaptive mechanisms. It suggests that selfperception and coping-mechanisms can be improved by working with the body. Results support the success and usefullness of D/MT with fibromyalgia patients (Rodriguez Cigaran, 2005). Elana Mannheim discussed dance/movement therapy as a clinical intervention method in oncological rehabilitation in a multi-treatment context. Results showed significant improvements in quality of life, reduction of anxiety and depression, and increased self-esteem. Even though the results may not be attributed to D/MT alone, the qualitative assessments of interviews clearly showed that D/MT had a positive influence on coping processes. Paivi Pylvanainen reported on theoretical concepts related to body scheme (Pylvanainen, 2003). Her tri-partite model of body image organizes the contents of the psychological experience of body into image-properties, body-self and body-memory. Image-properties are one's perceived appearance of body. Body-self is the body-based, interactive, experiencing and emotional core-self. Body-memory stores the lived experiences and serves as a background for evaluating present experiences. The contents of body-memory and image-properties tune the action that the body-self carries out. These together are the body image and shape it continuously. The tri-partite model is based on literature from phenomenology, psychology, dance, and D/MT.
Fig. 2: Presenters left to right: Iris Bräuninger, Elana Mannheim, Robyn F. Cruz, Beatrice Allegranti, Meg Chang, Gordana Horvat Mahne, Sara Rodriguez; lower row: Helle Winther, Eva Bojner Horwitz, Maria Gabriella Sbiglio, Sabine C. Koch, Paivi Pylvänäinen; missing: Claire Moore and Cathleen Thiele. Gordana Horvat Mahne presented exploratory work on the prevention of violent behavior using dance/movement therapy techniques with children and adolescents. Her goals are enrichment of expression, recognition of emotions, development of communication, cooperation, selfactualization, and both satisfying and successful functioning. Helle Winther discussed body language and expressive energy based on the international dance therapy form “Dansergia.” Inspired by phenomenological, anthropological, and depthermeneutic research methods, the project explores the potential of movement for personal development and its application to therapy.
Sabine C. Koch reported on movement qualities of women and men at work. Female team leaders differred from male team leaders in use of running-drifting and jumping rhythms and efforts assessed with the KMP. Female leaders for example showed more direct and particularly more indirect movement qualities. Reliability assessment brought mixed results, but enough encouragement for continued research (Koch, 2005). Taken together, the positive outcomes and treatment effects generated by these studies suggest that dance/movement therapy is a viable and useful method of intervention. Research Workshops Six research workshops introduced state-of-the-art techniques, methods, instruments and applied fields of D/MT. Heike Maya Hummel and Sabine Sahm provided insights into the Body Mind Movement Paradigma from Yona Shahar-Levy (BMMP), a diagnostic movement observation instrument used to investigate the instrument’s diagnostic predictivity of bonding patterns in parent-child interaction. Beatrice Allegranti presented research on gender identity and introduced an interdisciplinary practice-based research approach which attends to the relationship between D/MT and dance. Claire Moore discussed her research on D/MT with women and children who had experienced domestic violence. She introduced concepts of body memory and body expression on the basis of a neurophysiological understanding of the body’s reactions to trauma, together with initial findings of her research project. Maria Gabriela Sbiglio applied the Dulicai Nonverbal Assessment of Family Systems to domestic violence prevention in parent child interaction, comparing two types of families, one
with a history of violence and one without a history of violence. The comparison illustrates that the families without a history of violence, shows a wide range of behaviors and more options in their interactions. The results suggest that nonverbal assessment can be a low cost and noninvasive method that may contribute to secondary and tertiary prevention of family violence. Future studies need to develop assessment scales especially to detect movement patterns linked to violence in larger and more culturally diverse samples. Robyn Flaum Cruz lectured on diverse research methods for dance/movement therapists, emphasizing her ideas on the importance of matching research objectives and conditions with the appropriate methods. To support D/MT theory and practice, Cruz encouraged using methodological pluralism for empirical studies (Cruz & Berrol, 2004). Meg Chang discussed the ways in which dance/movement therapists manifest racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity theories in practice. Focusing on the relationships among intercultural education, and personal and social identity, Chang critically examined the educational and psychological theories that underlie D/MT practice.
Fig. 3: Sabine Sahm and Heike Maya Hummel from DITAT, Bonn, during an experiential on the BMMP (Body Mind Movement Profile by Jona Shahar-Levy, Israel).
Poster Session
The following posters were presented: 1. Nonverbal indices of high stress in parent/child interaction: A correlative study using the the KMP in comparison with life-, event-, and parenting stress self-report scales (Silvia Birklein) 2. Articulation of links between psychoanalysis and movement analysis (Katya Bloom) 3. Movement parameters in depression: Potential of the Kestenberg Movement Profile for diagnosis and efficacy research (Iris Bräuninger, Jérôme Endrass, & Daniel Hell) 4. Methods of the National Depression Study (Dianne Dulicai) 5. Men and Women at Work: KMP-Analysis of Movement Qualities (Sabine C. Koch) 6. Identification of Early Relationship from the Analysis of Movement Patterns in Mother-Infant Interaction Observed in Inpatient Psychiatry (Hannelore Lier-Schehl, Gert Hölter & Luc Turmes) 7. The Effect of Dance/Movement Therapy on Patients with Fibromyalgia (Sarah Rodriguez) 8. Biodanza as Mirrored in the Sciences: Research concerning the psychological, physiological and immunological Effects of Biodanza (Marcus Stück, A. Villegas, H. Schröder, U. Sack, R. Terren, V. Toro, R. Toro) 9. Efficacy of Dance/Movement Therapy Interventions on Body Aspects in Consideration of Social Competence (Cathleen Thiele) 10. The Effects of Movement Therapy on Depression of Elderly Women (Sayadi, A.R., Nazer, M., Ansary, M., Khalegi, A.) 11. Dance/movement therapy as a clinical intervention method in oncological rehabilitation. Evaluation of treatment effects - research results of phase I (Elana Mannheim & Joachim Weis). Presenters
Allegranti, Beatrice, MA, Senior Registered Dance Movement Therapist of ADMT-UK, Performer/Choreographer, D/MT Lecturer on Postgraduate Dance Movement Therapy Programme, University of Surrey Roehampton, UK Birklein, Silvia, MA, MA, LPC, NCC, ADTR, CMA, KMP Analyst, Licensed Counselor and Doctoral Candidate at New School University New York City, in private practice as Dance/Movement Therapist, USA Bojner Horwitz, Eva, PhT, MSc, Dance/Movement Therapist, Department of Public Health & Caring Sciences, Center for Environmental Ill Health & Stress, & Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatry, Uppsala University & University Hospital, Doctoral Candidate, Sweden Bräuninger, Iris, MA, DTR, BTD Trainer, KMP Analyst, Deputy Head of Physio-, Dance & Movement Therapy Department at Psychiatric University Clinic Zürich, Doctoral Candidate at the University of Tübingen, Germany, former board member of the BTD Chang, Meg, Ed.D., ADTR, Treaurer, American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA), formerly Coordinator of Dance Therapy Specialization, Lesley College, University of Mass. Medical Center Stress Reduction Clinic, USA. Cruz, Robyn Flaum, Ph.D., ADTR, Editor-in-Chief, The Arts in Psychotherapy, Vice President of the ADTA, Director Creative & Expressive Arts Therapies, Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic, UPMC, USA. Dulicai, Dianne, Ph.D., ADTR, former President of the ADTA, former Program Director of Hahnemann University Dance/Movement Therapy Program and the Laban Centre DMT Postgraduate Program in London, UK, USA. Hummel, Heike, postgraduate studies in Cultural Pedagogy, Registered Dance Therapist DITAT, BMMP Movement Notator, Germany
Koch, Sabine C., MA, DTR, Psychologist, KMP Analyst, Researcher at the Department of Language and Social Psychology at the University of Heidelberg, Germany Lier-Schehl, Hannelore, Sports Teacher, BTD Dance/Movement Therapy Trainer, certified Psychotherapist for Children, Westfalian Center of Psychiatry/Psychotherapy at Acute Psychiatry Herten, Ph.D. candidate at the University of Dortmund, Germany Mahne, Gordana Horvat, MA, Dance/Movement Therapist, Founder of Croatian Dance Therapy Association, former professional Dancer, Choreographer, Teacher, Croatia Mannheim, Elana, trained in Movement Therapy, Dance and Psychooncology, in-depth oriented breathing therapist, D/MT Researcher in Oncology at the Tumor Biology Center, Freiburg, Germany Moore, Claire, BA (Hons.) Psych, MA, D/MT, Dept. Social Sciences, Registered Dance Movement Therapist of ADMT UK and BTD & BTAT BRD, fellow researcher at University of Applied Sciences Oldenburg, Germany Pylvanainen, Paivi, MA, DTR, Psychologist, President of Finish Dance Therapy Association, Authentic Movement Practitioner, Finland Rodriguez, Sarah, MA, Dance/Movement Therapist, Co-Founder and Member of the Chair-Group of the Spanish Association for DMT ADMTE, associate ADTA member, professor at post-graduate study of DMT in Barcelona, Spain Sahm, Sabine, postgraduate studies in Social Pedagogy, Registered Dance Therapist DITAT, BMMP Movement Notator, Germany Sayadi, A. R., M. Sc., Academic Member Occupational Therapy, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences and Health Services Rafsanjan, Iran
Sbiglio, Maria Gabriela, MCAT, DTR, Licensed Psychologist in the Argentinian National Professional Association, Registered Dance/Movement Therapist of Italian DMT Association A.P.I.D., Italy Stück, Marcus, Dr. rer. nat, Psychologist, Institute for Applied Psychology at University of Leipzig, certified Psychotherapist, Yogateacher BdY/EYU, Biodanza teacher, Germany Thiele, Cathleen, Sports Teacher, Postgraduate Studies in Sports Sciences at University of Halle/Saale, in D/MT training at Tanztherapie Zentrum Berlin, Germany Winther, Helle, Associate Professor, Doctoral candidate at the University of Copenhagen, Institute of Exercise & Sport Sciences Dep. of Practice, Pedagogy and Psychology, Research in Movement Psychology, Dance as Therapy and related fields, Denmark. The researchers are presently working together to create a book publication aiming for this selection of international research to be available to the broader DMT community. Summary Taken together, we evaluate this first international research colloquium in dance/movement therapy as a success and great pleasure. It brought together researchers from all over the world, and established new networks and a joint project of an edited volume. Outcome studies applying D/MT in controlled designs showed positive results. Qualitative studies contributed their share to the fields knowledge base. We are thus encouraged to continue with this collection of present state-of-the art research in D/MT. We would be pleased to welcome all research interested D/MTs at the 2nd International Research Colloquium that will take place February, 10th and 11th, 2006, in Hohenwart (Pforzheim), Germany. References
Bojner Horwitz, E. (2004): Dance/Movement Therapy in Fibromyalgia Patients : Aspects and Consequences of Verbal, Visual and Hormonal Analyses. University of Uppsala, 2004. Available at: http://www.diva-portal.org/diva/getDocument?urn_nbn_se_uu_diva-46391__fulltext.pdf Bräuninger, I. (2005). Tanztherapie. Verbesserung der Lebensqualität und Stressbewältigung. [Dance Therapy. Improvement of Quality of Life and Coping]. Weinheim, Germany: Beltz Verlag. Cruz, R., & Berrol C. (2004). Dance/Movement Therapists in Action. A Working Guide to Research Options. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas. Koch, S.C. (2005). Gender and Leadership at Work: Use of Rhythms and Movement Qualities in Team Communication at the Workplace. To appear in S.C. Koch & I. Bräuninger (eds.), Advances in Dance/Movement Therapy. Theoretical Perspectives and Empirical Findings. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas. Mannheim, E. & Weis, J. (2005). D/MT with Cancer Inpatients. Evaluation of Process and Outcome Parameters. To apperar in S.C. Koch & I. Bräuninger (eds.), Advances in Dance/Movement Therapy. Theoretical Perspectives and Empirical Findings. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas. Pylvänäinen, Päivi (2003). Body Image: A tripartite model for the use in dance/movement therapy. American Journal of Dance Therapy, 25, 39-55. Rodriguez Cigaran, S. (2005). Danza Movimiento Terapia y fibromialgia: cuerpos que hablan del dolor. In Panhofer, Heidrun (ed.), El cuerpo en psicoterapia. Teoría y práctica de la Danza Movimiento Terapia. Barcelona: Gedisa.
