Dance movement therapy for depressed clients: Profiles of the level and changes in depression

• Published in: Body, movement and dance in psychotherapy Vol. 17; no. 2; pp. 133 - 149
• Main Authors: Kella, Kaisa, Hyvönen, Katriina, Pylvänäinen, Päivi, Muotka, Joona
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Routledge 03.04.2022
• Subjects: attachment style; Dance movement therapy; depression; mindfulness; participant profiles
• ISSN: 1743-2979; 1743-2987
• DOI: 10.1080/17432979.2021.1927188

This research identified participant profiles in level and changes in depression among working age (18-64 years old) clients (N = 137) diagnosed with depression, who participated in a 20-session dance movement therapy (DMT) intervention. Using Latent Profile Analysis Mild, sharply reducing depression (9%), Mild, reducing depression (58%) and Severe, reducing depression (33%) profiles were established, using Beck Depression Inventory scores gathered at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up points. At the pre-intervention point, being in full-time work was related to the Mild, sharply reducing depression profile. Being on a disability pension, having a history of one`s own or a close person`s substance abuse, a more fearful attachment style, and deficiencies in mindfulness skills were related to the Severe, reducing depression profile. All participants benefited from the short-term DMT intervention, which may offer a good outcome for patients with less complex depression, whereas those with more complicated symptomology may require longer treatment.