A Dance/Movement Therapy Clinical Model for Women with Gynecologic Cancer Undergoing High Dose Rate Brachytherapy

Abstract

This literature-based study generated a clinical dance/movement therapy program intended for patients with gynecological cancer to run concurrently with the high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy treatment. A ten-week clinical model combines elements from established dance/movement therapy practices to specifically address psychological and psychosocial issues relevant to the targeted patient population. In order to develop an appropriate intervention, the movement tasks and themes chosen were based on findings of their effectiveness in various studies. Dance/movement therapy has been shown to directly address psychological issues, such as self-image, anxiety and depression, through a holistic approach which serves to aid the healing process of the individual by strengthening the mind-body connection. These psychological issues occur as secondary stressors to medical conditions, such as cancer, and may reduce a patient's quality of life and abilities to cope with their illness. For patients diagnosed with gynecologic cancer these secondary stressors may include altered self-image, sense of isolation or betrayal by one's body, anxiety, depression, and complications related to sexuality. The following article correlates the efficacy of dance/movement therapy applied to patients with gynecologic cancer being treated with HDR brachytherapy.

Specific dance movement therapy interventions—Which are successful? An intervention and correlation study

“…The use of relaxation techniques in DMT has been described extensively (Ginsburgs & Goodill, 2009;Muller-Pinget et al, 2012;Payne, 2009). Guided imagery (Ho, 2005;Payne, 2009), body awareness (Ginsburgs & Goodill, 2009), progressive relaxation (Kierr, 2011), and breathing exercises (Barton, 2011) are examples of relaxation techniques that have been used in DMT.…”

“…Guided imagery (Ho, 2005;Payne, 2009), body awareness (Ginsburgs & Goodill, 2009), progressive relaxation (Kierr, 2011), and breathing exercises (Barton, 2011) are examples of relaxation techniques that have been used in DMT. Dance therapists should understand these techniques, such as assessing clients' breathing patterns before applying breathing interventions to clients (Caldwell & Victoria, 2011).…”

The Effect of Art Therapy in Women with Gynecologic Cancer: A Systematic Review

“…Cancer is an overwhelming experience for patients [1]. e diagnosis of cancer has not only obvious physical ramifications but also produces psychological stress as well [2]. Cancer patients are particularly vulnerable to depression and anxiety.…”

“…ese disorders have a severely detrimental effect on the patient's quality of life [3]. Gynecologic cancers include any cancer of the female genital system: uterine, ovarian, cervical, vulvar, vaginal, and endometrial [2]. ese diseases seriously affect women's health.…”

Terapia a través de la danza y el movimiento en mujeres con cáncer de mama: el impacto psicofísico del proceso empático

“…El creciente número de estudios de DMT en pacientes con cán-cer, especialmente en mujeres con cáncer de mama, enfatiza su importancia al ser una aproximación integradora que puede mejorar la calidad de vida de la paciente (1,14,15) . La DMT fortalece el sistema inmune a través de la acción muscular y de la activación de diversas respuestas fisiológi-cas y, también, puede eliminar la tensión y otras condiciones de discapacidad como resultado de la situación de estrés (1,16) . De hecho, Dibbel-hope comprobó mejorías en el bienestar psicológico de mujeres con cáncer de mama, disminuyendo aspectos relacionados con la tensión, la ansiedad, la depresión, la ira y la confusión-perplejidad ante el diagnóstico (11) .…”