A Dance Movement Psychotherapy Intervention for the Wellbeing of Children With an Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Intervention Study

Abstract

BackgroundSustaining the wellbeing for children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be highly demanding. Dance Movement Psychotherapy (DMP), a form of psychotherapy with a non-verbal character, may present as a relevant intervention option for this group of children.MethodsA protocol-based group DMP intervention was developed and implemented in two special educational needs schools in the North West of England. We aimed to investigate the effects of DMP on children with ASD using the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Twenty-six children aged between 8 and 13 years (mean age = 10.65 years) with ASD were randomly allocated to DMP and a control group with standard care, following a crossover research design.ResultsResults showed no significant carryover or period effects for either the SCQ or SDQ (p > 0.05). A significant intervention effect was found only for SCQ (p = 0.005) but not for SDQ (p > 0.05). ANCOVAs were performed on the data before the crossover to test for differences in SCQ and SDQ scores between the DMP intervention and control groups while controlling for pre-intervention scores. Those in the DMP intervention group presented significantly lower SCQ scores following the intervention period than those in the control group (p = 0.001). No significant differences in post-intervention SDQ scores were found between DMP intervention and control groups (p = 0.2). However, minimal clinically important differences (MCID) were reached for both SCQ and SDQ measures before crossover for those in the DMP intervention group. Moreover, repeated measures ANOVAs performed on SCQ and SDQ measures following crossover were significant, with the change in both SCQ (p = 0.001) and SDQ (p = 0.009) pre-and post-intervention being significantly greater for those in the DMP intervention than the control group.ConclusionThe pilot DMP intervention has shown promising results on the social and emotional wellbeing of children with ASD irrespective of whether they preferred verbal or non-verbal mode of communication. Limitations and appropriateness of the research methods implemented in this study for their use in a large RCT are discussed in detail. Overall, our findings highlight the value of creative therapies for improving the lives of young vulnerable groups.

A Systematic Review of the Contribution of Dance Movement Psychotherapy Towards the Well-Being of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

“…The nine studies included in the review are summarised in Table 2 . With regards to the research questions that are addressed, some studies (Samaritter, 2015 ; Athanasiadou and Karkou, 2017 ) focused on the process of DMP while others described either the intervention techniques (Wengrower, 2010 ) or ways of evaluating practice (Houghton and Beebe, 2016 ); the remaining studies focused on outcomes (Hartshorn et al, 2001 ; Chiang et al, 2016 ; Aithal, 2020 ; Sengupta and Banerjee, 2020 ).…”

“…There were three quantitative (Hartshorn et al, 2001 ; Chiang et al, 2016 ; Sengupta and Banerjee, 2020 ) studies. The doctoral studies of Samaritter ( 2015 ) and Aithal ( 2020 ) were conducted using a mixed-methods design.…”

“…This section considered the theories, principles and approaches that conceptually informed the DMP intervention. It was noticed that reporting the type of therapeutic approach adopted was not a widespread practice among DMP researchers as only four studies specifically described their approach and lens in which the therapy sessions were delivered (Chiang et al, 2016 ; Athanasiadou and Karkou, 2017 ; Devereaux, 2017 ; Aithal, 2020 ). The rest of the studies only reported either the structure of the session or the activities conducted during the DMP sessions.…”

“…However, for better understanding of the subject, the data extraction process of the present review considered all important theories mentioned in the studies' literature review as well as in their methods sections, distinguishing between the two. As shown in Table 3, the four studies that were explicit about their therapeutic approach referred to person-centred or humanistic principles 2 (Chiang et al, 2016;Athanasiadou and Karkou, 2017;Devereaux, 2017) and integrative approach (Aithal, 2020). In a humanistic approach of DMP, the focus is generally on strengthening clients' resources in the here-andnow (Karkou and Sanderson, 2006).…”

“…Apart from the humanistic approach, elements of developmental ideas 3 , psychodynamic 4 , and behavioural 5 thinking were also found in some of these studies. Four studies (Wengrower, 2010;Samaritter, 2015;Athanasiadou and Karkou, 2017;Aithal, 2020) have referred to the relevance of developmental models such as Developmental Individual difference Relationship-based model (DIR) (Greenspan and Wieder, 2006) and Sherborne Developmental Movement 2 "Humanistic" is an umbrella term used to refer to a number of different approaches to therapy (client/person-centred therapy is one such example- Rogers, 1942), all of which focus on strengthening clients' resources in the here-and-now, value I-thou relationships, empathy and consider the client as leading the process of the work (Karkou and Sanderson, 2006). 3 Developmental perspectives focus on providing interventions that are developmentally suitable to the skills and capacities of participants (Karkou and Sanderson, 2006).…”